The Buffalo Bills have named former Carolina Panthers executive Brandon Beane to be the team's new general manager. Beane has spent the past 19 years with the Panthers organization. He was assistant general manager for the last two seasons and director of football operations from 2008 to 2014. New Bills head coach Sean McDermott also came to Buffalo from Carolina.
"It emboldens Coach Sean McDermott," offered analyst Matt Sabuda of WBFO's Beyond the Playbook.
"McDermott has been given what many have called 'unprecedented power' for a Bills coach."
That line of thinking is backed up by the organization's timeline since the end of last season. McDermott was hired with then-general manager Doug Whaley seemingly in charge. Whaley stayed on the job through the NFL Draft before he was fired on May 1. Beane, McDermott's former colleague in Carolina, now becomes the 13th general manager in Bills history.
"To have a general manager who appears to be on the same page, seems to make sense," said Sabuda before making a qualified comparison to the NFL's premier franchise, the New England Patriots where coach Bill Belichick has provided a taciturn face to the organization for nearly two decade.
"The Patriots have an organization that is really run by the coach and everyone reports to him."
Though they've controlled the franchise for less than three years, Sabuda believes team owners Kim and Terry Pegula have learned some harsh lessons, including the disappointing results produced by Rex Ryan, their former head coach whose reputation is based more on bravado than on winning seasons.
"A number of franchises have been in this scenario where they have a flashy guy and what do they do? It's reactionary and they go to the complete opposite. And I think in that respect, McDermott and Beane represent that opposite."
The Buffalo Bills released a statement from Terry Pegula last night in announcing the move.
“During our search for a new General Manager, Brandon stood out to Kim and I as he embodies the type of leader and type of person we want in our organization. Brandon has excelled in a variety of roles for a Panthers team that has consistently competed at a high-level in this league. We feel his vast understanding and experience in many facets of football operations will be invaluable to our club moving forward. We also believe his vision for the Buffalo Bills combined with his detailed approach will help build a foundation for sustained success. We are pleased to welcome Brandon and his family to Buffalo,” said Bills owner and CEO Terry Pegula, in a statement.
Beane will be formally introduced at a news conference Friday at 10:30 a.m.
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