USAT: Bills Wire audio clip

USAT: Bills Wire

Feb 16, 2022

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane gave some candid answers on Eric Wood’s Podcast this week: “What’s Next with Eric Wood” about his upcoming duties. - Beane is starting to hit his stride heading toward the 2022 offseason. While there are no games until September, the action behind the scenes is a big part of his job. - Two of the things that stand out the most: Making trades and free agency. - The next thing most likely up for the GM is the latter. Free agency begins in mid-March. - As the leader of the front office that put the Bills in a 180-degree turn in a few short years, Beane admitted that things are different now. - For him, getting free agents to come to Buffalo now is much easier. It boils down to a few things. - First and foremost, winning. - Beane isn’t convincing people the Bills can win games. The proof is in the pudding. - “Yeah, definitely,” Beane said. “Because we were recruiting [before], when we got here, on what we wanted to be about… and words can ring hallow. People have been sold [in the past], you talk to any player or agent, they’ve been sold a line of promises that were empty, that were not held up.” - “I think when guys think about that, being part of a winning culture, is what’s most important, versus playing near my home city or in a warm state,” Beane added. - Not only wins, but also giving players and chance to prove themselves in Buffalo sounds like it’s part of the equation. The team has been known for their ability to recruit based on giving players a fair chance to earn a spot in the lineup. - Nothing is guaranteed and the Bills keep their word on that. - And it’s be realistic. What else is a good recruiting tool for the GM? - “People want to join a quarterback like Josh Allen,” Beane said. - Not only is Allen playing a role in the recruiting process, earlier this offseason Beane and Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said he’s part of the process of picking who to even talk to. - “Josh and I communicate on a lot of things,” McDermott said when asked about the eventual promotion of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. “(Allen) will be in the loop and he will be communicated with.” - Where things get a bit harder is with trades. Allen might have a say, but Beane really has to put his GM hat. - Asked if he would trade top draft picks for players, Beane said it is an option. Although, he never really had to say that since Beane did acquire receiver Stefon Diggs. - But as things currently stand with the Bills, Beane explained that it’s a very deep-seeded process when making massive trades. - “We’ll look everywhere,” Beane said. “We don’t just try and do something that’s shortsighted and can hurt us down the road. it’s twofold. One, what is the contract you’re trading for? A proven player– how does that fit in your salary cap? And two, what type of player, what round are you talking about? The caliber player that we can get on a fixed cost [in the draft]. We have to be responsible here, paying Josh Allen what we’re paying him. We can get really top-heavy, fast. - Beane later mentioned how he’s never really a fan of the “all-in approach.” Does he want to win the Super Bowl in 2022? - Sure, but if he can do that, and win it in 2023 as well? - Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, but which option would you pick? Beane’s taking the second. - “But yes, if there’s the right opportunity to add a good player and we can fit him in our cap and it makes sense and it’s not a one year– I’m not really into the one year, all or nothing type of thing because you can do that, and one or two things go wrong, get the wrong person injured or just things happen. Now the next year you’re going, ‘man, we just gave away some valuable pieces,” Beane said. - “All of a sudden you’re going into the next year going, ‘man, I don’t think we have a chance because of the moves we made a year ago,'” he added. - A lot to unpack from Beane, but at least there could potentially be some things to look forward to in the coming weeks based on this intel. - - RelatedGabriel Davis, Isaiah McKenzie appear on hilarious 'Hot Ones' wing eating segment (video)Bills' Josh Allen has strong opening odds for 2022 NFL MVPJosh Allen vs. Joe Burrow vs. Justin Herbert? NFL execs made picks - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bills Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bills Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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