‘McDermott confirmed the firing of special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley, a move reported earlier this month. At his end-of-season news conference in January, McDermott had voiced his confidence in Smiley and said that he would be back. Shortly after, reports came out that Smiley had been fired. McDermott clarified that he wanted to fully sort through the decision before finalizing it.’
Archives for February 26, 2025
Ryan O’Halloran: The Bills’ offseason goal? Help Josh Allen by helping the defense
‘They were in the bottom half of the NFL in yards allowed per game (17th), yards allowed per play (21st), yards allowed per rushing attempt (19th), yards passing allowed per game (24th), first downs allowed per game (29th) and on third down (29th). The takeaways helped the Bills finish tied for 11th in fewest points allowed.’
Sean McDermott shares safety concerns over the ‘tush push’ play the Bills have run so well
‘“To me there’s always been an injury risk with that play and I’ve expressed that opinion for the last couple of years or so when it really started to come into play the way it’s been used, especially a year ago,” McDermott said Monday at the NFL scouting combine. “I just feel like player safety, and the health and safety of our players has to be at the top of our game, which it is. It’s just that that play to me has always been – or the way that the techniques that are used with that play to me, have been potentially contrary to the health and safety of the players.”‘
Buffalo Bills and Khalil Shakir agree to terms on a four-year extension
‘“The guy is a true lunch-pail Buffalonian,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said Tuesday. “I mean, I know he’s not from Buffalo, but he doesn’t say anything, he just shows up every single day. He’s Mr. Dependable. And when the ball is thrown his way, he usually comes down with it. And you know, I’m sure everyone on our team that’s coming back would be excited to have Khalil. … We’re going to count on him even more, not only on the field, but his leadership going forward.”’
Bills GM Brandon Beane is open to trading his first-round pick … under the right circumstance
‘“I say this on the golf course: I’m a lot of things, but scared ain’t of them,” Beane said. “So yes, anything that can help our roster, that can fit and not cripple us in another way, yes, we would definitely do it.”’
Bills sign standout WR to contract extension: What we know
‘“We got that finalized today,” general manage Brandon Beane confirmed when he spoke with reporters at the scouting combine. “I would say the last day or two, you felt like it was trending in the right direction and we’re excited to keep Khalil here for an additional four years beyond the one year he had remaining.”’
The Bills used the tush push more than 30 NFL teams. Now there is a proposal to ban it.
‘“To me there’s always been an injury risk with that play and I’ve expressed that opinion for the last couple of years or so when it really started to come into play the way it’s been used, especially a year ago,” McDermott said when he met with reporters at the NFL scouting combine. “I just feel like player safety, and the health and safety of our players, has to be at the top of our game, which it is.”’
NFL’s new dynamic kickoff spurred action in 2024, but will it be modified for 2025?
‘The numbers showed that during the 2024 regular season, there were 332 more kickoff returns than 2023 when only 21.8% of kickoffs were returned, easily the lowest mark in league history. In 2024, kickoffs were returned 32.8% of the time which certainly isn’t great, but it is undoubtedly better.’
Bills may look to draft defensive tackle in first round: Who to watch at NFL combine
‘“We’ll look at everything,” Beane said. “I believe we have some good players and pieces and it’s how do we add around those guys to complement who they are and what they do already as we look into the free agency period and the draft as well.”’
Bills coach critical of play-making receiver after ‘rocky’ rookie season; GM preaches patience
‘“I thought he had an up and down first season,” McDermott said. “he got injured, and then from there on, it was rather rocky, I would say. And we’re looking for him to learn from those moments of adversity, and come back and have a really, really, really strong offseason and get himself going into the start of season two here.”’
Buffalo Bills and team-leading receiver agree to 4-year contract extension
‘Bills general manager Brandon Beane has made his reputation on finding a team-friendly number with players needing new contracts. He famously landed linebacker Matt Milano for considerably less than expected in 2021.’
Bills re-sign WR Shakir, keeping him in Buffalo through 2029 season
‘If Shakir were to cash in on the totality of his contract, the average annual value of the deal would rank No. 27 among current WR contracts, per Spotrac.’
Khalil Shakir’s 4-year extension is first contract domino to fall for Bills as new year approaches
‘While the Buffalo Bills brass is getting to know their next potential crop of players, they locked up one they already have.’
Bills are open to making moves, teams for top pass rushers aren’t ready to be dance partners
‘Being good is no longer enough for many people. A Super Bowl is the only thing that can quench their thirst.’
Football Hall-of-Famer Thurman Thomas enjoying Bills success, running back revival
‘“The blueprint for winning in the NFL changes every few years, and I think last season we saw that running backs are still valuable assets,’’ the Buffalo Bills all-time rushing leader said Sunday afternoon after signing a slew of photos, helmets, jerseys, and footballs at the Legends & Stars Winter Sports Expo at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel. “I think it’s pretty safe to say that the Philadelphia Eagles don’t even reach the Super Bowl without Saquon doing what he did.”’