Expectations were high right out of the gate regardless who was chosen to follow Sean McDermott as head coach of the Buffalo Bills. Teams finishing a season 12-5 with a loss in the divisional round don’t often fire their head coaches, but here we are… and here is where it all begins for Joe Brady.
Ever since it was announced the Bills fired Sean McDermott, like many fans I was glued to the media to find out what the heck happened… and where do we go from here? I’ve listened to at least 15 podcasts and read every post I could find by anyone who has an opinion. It’s my nature to be skeptical and I tend to consume media from a wide variety of sources, some I trust more than others.
So as I perused the mountain of information coming to light about why Sean McDermott was fired I found myself diving into different sources creating a tapestry of truths. These truths formed a picture with more clarity than what could be gleaned from limited information available. The public persona of a head coach may be very different than how they operate behind closed doors, so to speak.
For example, this week former OLB Jerry Hughes commented on his feelings about Sean McDermott after the ’13 second’ debacle, believing McDermott was not serious enough about winning. Obviously it played a role in his leaving to play for his hometown Houston Texans. Hughes always provided a candid interview and wasn’t afraid to call it like he saw it as a player. His commentary here made me wonder if this is where the cracks started showing in McDermott’s tenure.
Yes, it’s all “water under the bridge”. However, looking at the past and how it came to shape the present is a valuable exercise in avoiding mistakes in the future. That’s why I found it helpful to listen to the ‘Fitz and Whit’ podcast when Ryan Fitzpatrick shared was he felt about a conversation he had with Brandon Beane. (H/T @sekeltheawesome)
In my view, Ryan Fitzpatrick is a source of information I trust. He is not only Harvard educated (LOL), he understands the ‘Buffalo psyche’ more than anyone in the business of sports media. Fitzpatrick was unique in how he bonded to the city of Buffalo and embraced everything about living in Western New York. He understood us in a way few outsiders do and he felt our pain.
When Ryan Fitzpatrick spoke about his conversation with Brandon Beane, he was forthright about his skepticism regarding Joe Brady as a head coach. Like many Bills fans, Fitz talked about wanting a fresh perspective brought in, preferably by someone older and not friends with Josh Allen. But after conversing with Beane, Fitzpatrick was confident in the process and optimistic about hiring Joe Brady.
Fitzpatrick, like others, expressed benefits of continuity to counter the idea that changing the entire coaching staff would be the best way for the Buffalo Bills to proceed. Joe Brady as a quarterback coach or offensive coordinator is not the same role as Joe Brady head coach. And there are some advantages to using the same offensive system that’s been in place for more than a year.
This week we learned who the head coach is moving forward. There have been discussions with Jim Leonhard about the defensive coordinator position. As I write this it’s been reported Jim Schwartz is unhappy for not being promoted to head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Either of them, or someone like Raheem Morris would be terrific options for defensive coordinator.
The bottom line right now is getting the right people in place. Only time will tell if Joe Brady is that right person. As Ryan Fitzpatrick said on his podcast… “If Brandon Beane doesn’t get this hire right, he’ll get fired too “. It all goes on and on and for the majority of us we can’t do anything about it anyway.
Also… as much as we love our team, it’s probably a good time to take a break from social media. If you can get outside, it’s a great way to restore your soul, even for just a few minutes. Much love coming your way and more to follow from Wyoming.
Editor’s babble: Trying to journal my way through the latest existential crisis at One Bills Drive. You can also find me on X @RobynMundyWYO.
BuffaloFAMbase.com is sponsored by 26 Shirts
Every Monday, we launch a two-week campaign of a new Buffalo-themed t-shirt design. Every purchase results in a donation to a local family in need. After the campaign ends, the shirt is typically retired. A new design is released, and a new family benefits from your fandom!
Ryan Fitzpatrick essentially said nothing of note in his podcast on the hiring of Joe Brady, aside from Brandon Beane “convincing him” on the hire and speculating that Beane will get fired if things do not work out. I disagree completely, look at what has happened, Sean McDermott has paid 100% of the price of failure. Beane has been promoted, handled a coaching search and plumped for the in-house candidate who has likewise fallen upwards.
Mr. Pegula has willingly handed the keys to the franchise to Brandon Beane, he could not even be bothered to say a couple of sentences to announce Brady’s hiring, he left the spotlight to Beane. As long as Josh Allen is healthy and a Buffalo Bill, Beane is here to stay, Pegula has directly cited the moves that Beane made to get Josh in 2018 and the fact that his GM tree is in a much healthier state (as noted by Pegula), than McDermott’s coaching tree.
Beane has had a miserable year, bullying the WGR hosts and then going on a victory lap. Failing at the trade deadline and lamenting this fact. Claims Slay who doesn’t report and we lose Ingram to the Texans which indirectly leads to Hairston’s injury against the Jets and his lack of availabilty in the postseason.
Then in the Pegula press conference Beane appeared so thin skinned, in any similar scenario, you have to face the music – the man who bought you to the franchise has paid the price and Beane gets a pat on the back? Citing his wife’s tears for sympathy, it is upsetting that she felt that way but he bringing that up isn’t a good look for him, in my opinion at least, does he want people not to have opinions? Remember he is THE decision maker for the immediate future and in full control of Joe Brady.
Now all the sheep like me will fall in line after Brady’s press conference. Why, because we are all Bills fans and changes were needed. I can understand and respect Mr. Pegula firing Sean McDermott but the words he spoke that day do not make sense. We should have cleaned house totally.
It is galling that Brandon Beane has got a promotion. Look at the Vikings firing their GM today, January 31, whilst he is representing them at the Senior Bowl, it could have been done. I suppose it is all water under the bridge if at minimum make the Super Bowl next year. Let’s go Buffalo!