Just hours after being dramatically fired by the New York Giants on Tuesday morning, former head coach Brian Daboll sent shockwaves through NFL social media with an emotional post on X — publicly “begging” for a chance to return to the Buffalo Bills, the team where he reached the peak of his career as offensive coordinator (OC) before departing in 2022.
“Thank you, Giants, for the four-year ride. But if Sean McDermott has a spare seat on the bus in Orchard Park, I’m ready to hold the play sheet again — as long as I can call plays for Josh Allen one more time. #BillsMafia, can I come home? 🏠💙❤️”
Attached was a throwback photo of Daboll and Josh Allen from the 2021 playoffs, alongside the hashtag #TakeMeBackToBuffalo, which rocketed to the No. 3 trending topic globally within 90 minutes.
The Bills Mafia responded like fireworks: over 120,000 likes, 25,000 retweets, and a flood of “Daboll coming home” memes filled X timelines. One fan joked, “You left us for New York — fine. But if you’re coming back, bring wings for the whole team!”
Meanwhile, Giants fans blasted the move as “the ultimate betrayal.” One viral comment read: “Got fired and went crawling back to Buffalo? Big Blue really can’t keep anyone.”
Daboll was once hailed as the offensive mastermind who elevated the Bills from mediocrity to Super Bowl contention between 2018–2021, guiding Josh Allen’s rise and helping Buffalo post a 49–31 record under Sean McDermott. He left in 2022 to become the Giants’ HC on a five-year deal and led them to the playoffs in his debut season (9–7–1, Wild Card win). But the following years spiraled downward:
20–40–1, four blown double-digit leads this season, and Sunday’s 20–24 loss to the Bears — after leading 20–10 with seven minutes left — sealed his fate. GM Joe Schoenconfirmed the firing and named OC Mike Kafka as interim head coach while the team searches for a long-term replacement.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are surging at 6–3, with their offense thriving under OC Joe Brady, Daboll’s successor. Head coach Sean McDermott hasn’t commented publicly, but sources told The Athletic he “laughed out loud” upon seeing the post and told staff, “That’s classic Daboll — always knows how to make a scene.”
NFL insider Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) added: “A return as OC is highly unlikely, but a senior offensive advisory role isn’t out of the question if Brady’s role evolves.”
That reply instantly pushed #DabollBackToBuffalo to No. 1 trending in the U.S., turning a firing story into one of the most viral moments of the 2025 NFL season.
At 50, Daboll is now one of the league’s most intriguing free agents. While the Steelers and Raiders have reportedly reached out regarding OC openings, his heartfelt post reignited nostalgia among Bills Mafia — and transformed a career setback into a public love letter to Buffalo.
As the Giants brace for a full rebuild, Daboll seems ready to begin his next chapter — perhaps right back where it all began.
