‘Veteran coach Chris Tabor was named special teams coordinator, replacing Matthew Smiley. Head coach Sean McDermott also hired Ryan Nielsen as senior defensive assistant, Jason Rebrovich as assistant defensive line coach, and Mike Pellegrino to coach nickel cornerbacks.’
Archives for February 2025
Bills season ticket prices going up for final season at Highmark Stadium
‘The team announced Monday that season ticket prices will rise by an average of 12% for the final season at Highmark Stadium. General admission packages range from $684-$2,303 per seat, with the average price sitting at $1,283.’
Season ticket package prices announced for Buffalo Bills
‘The fans 2 On Your Side talked with on Tuesday are not really bothered by the season ticket price increases. They are just excited to see the team play next season.’
Bills’ wide receiver extends contract through 2029 season
‘ESPN reported that Shakir was the only Bills’ receiver on their 53-man roster this past year that had caught a pass from QB Josh Allen in a game.’
What we learned from GM Brandon Beane’s press conference at the NFL Combine
‘”As it stands today we would not be under the cap at where it’s at so we’re still working through that and again sometimes another extension could help us create more money,” Beane said.’
Buffalo Bills WR Khalil Shakir agrees to terms on four-year contract extension through 2029
‘Shakir led the Bills in targets (100), receptions (76) and receiving yards (821) in 2024, all career-highs for the 2022 5th round selection. He also posted a career-high four touchdown receptions.’
Ryan O’Halloran: NFL should continue to allow ‘tush push’ even if teams whine about it
‘I thought the objective was to gain a yard – or 2 yards – by any allowed means. For a team like the Bills, it’s using quarterback/armored tank Josh Allen with a push from running back James Cook, fullback Reggie Gilliam or even wide receiver Khalil Shakir. The rule should stand. It’s up to the defense to stop it by not letting teams get into third- and fourth-and-short.’
Quick notes: Sean McDermott talks at NFL scouting combine
‘McDermott confirmed the firing of special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley. At his end-of-season press conference, 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. “Yeah, I did. I can confirm that,” McDermott said Monday. “It’s a hard business, right? Unfortunate part of the business, but a hard part of my job. And those decisions are hard decisions. And so, I know what I said after the season there, and for me, it’s wanting to take my time and go through it and making sure that I fully evaluate the position, but also where we need to go with that position. And so that was the reason for the timing on it. Matthew Smiley, he’s a heck of a person, a heck of a coach, and I can’t thank him and his family enough.”’
Bills send reminder that they have sole control over community benefits spending
‘It is the team that has the authority to determine what groups get funding, and that funding won’t always be in cash or grants. Sometimes it will be in services or other forms, the team said. And the oversight committee, they said, functions only as an adviser.’
My View: Bills new stadium could become more than a football field
‘Buffalo has the capability, imagination and drive to do this, too! To have an area that’s used year-round, valued and appreciated for locals and visitors to the area alike. A destination stadium for everyday use. A boost for Buffalo and the fans that have always been there through thick and thin.’
Salary cap situation may have Bills eyeing edge rusher in NFL draft: Here are options
‘The biggest cap savings derived from a release would be edge rusher Von Miller. Cutting him pre-June 1 creates $8.3 million in 2025 space, though it comes with an ugly $15.4 million dead cap hit. Releasing him post-June 1 frees up $17.4 million, but that money would not be available until then. And while that would lessen the dead cap to $6.3 million in 2025, it would add $9 million of dead cap to the 2026 ledger which is not ideal.’
Bills sit ~$10 million over projected salary cap. How can BUF navigate financial challenges entering offseason?
‘After re-signing offensive linemen Alec Anderson and Ryan Vandemark along with quarterback Shane Buechele to one-year deals, signing numerous players to reserves/futures deals and the injury-induced retirement of Tommy Doyle, Buffalo now has 12 unrestricted free agents remaining with free agency set to open in a few weeks. With a challenging cap situation to navigate, general manager Brandon Beane will be forced to get creative once again if the Bills hope to have room to maneuver while improving the roster in areas that held the team back in 2024.’
Bills coach Sean McDermott sought experience to inject new flavor into coaching staff
‘The Buffalo Bills simply weren’t up to par on special teams. Sean McDermott was adamant about keeping the team’s special teams coordinator, Matthew Smiley, four days after the season ended.’
NFL competition committee to look into kickoff changes, banning tush push
‘Sean McDermott is in Indianapolis to scout the next crop of players to enter the NFL. But his week started by discussing prospective rule changes.’
Bills Coach Sean McDermott Expresses Key Concern About Tush Push
‘”To me, there has always been an injury risk with that play, and I’ve expressed that opinion for the last couple of years or so,” McDermott told the media at the NFL combine. “… I just feel like the health and safety of our players has to be at the top of our game, which it is. The techniques that are used with that play have been potentially contrary to the health and safety of the players. You have to go back though in fairness to the injury data on the play. The optics on it, I’m not in love with.”‘