*Two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin was thought to be a leading candidate to join the Bills either as a coach and/or someone who would oversee their football operations, but the Bills had yet to reach out to him as of Tuesday, The News learned. A source said it was unlikely Coughlin would interview with the team because of his discomfort with working with Whaley.

McDermott, 42, has overseen the Panthers' defense since 2011. His defenses ranked in the top 10 in the NFL from 2012 to 2015, but fell to 21st (two spots below the Bills) during the Panthers' 6-10 finish in 2016. The Panthers were sixth against the run, 26th in points allowed (25.1 per game) and 29th against the pass.

However, he did take a unit that lacked a dominant pass-rusher to second in the league in sacks.

McDermott has previously interviewed for head-coaching openings with the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the way to the Panthers' 15-1 record, followed by an appearance in Super Bowl 50, Carolina's defense was first in the NFL in interceptions, takeaways and turnover differential, and sixth overall.