Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott
For better, or for worse, the Buffalo Bills believe in Josh Allen is their franchise saving quarterback, and they’ve invested heavily in him. Not just in 2018, when they used a first-round pick to draft him seventh overall. But through the draft and through free agency, where they’ve signed, traded, and drafted to bring in high-caliber players that fit in perfectly with Allen’s skill set.
No matter what happens this season, general manager Brandon Beane might deserve a parade through the city of Buffalo just for the work he’s done in building a cohesive roster that isn’t just full of talent, but full of talent that makes sense.
Allen has a cannon arm and likes to throw deep? Beane brings in John Brown in 2019, and trades for Minnesota’s star receiver Stefon Diggs in 2020. Two of the best deep threat receivers in the game, with Diggs being one of the league’s best deep-ball trackers to hopefully balance out Allen’s inaccuracy.
Allen has issues with fumbling? Beane uses a second-round pick to draft Cody Ford at right tackle, while backing in the Brinks truck to extend Dion Dawkins to protect Allen’s blindside. Everywhere you look, from receivers to the line, to running backs and tight ends. Beane has brought in a cast of young players, all talented in their own right, but young players who complement the offense that a player like Allen would be best at running.
What Beane has done for the defense has been equally impressive, but head coach Sean McDermott has elevated that side of the ball to another level. Sure, they have elite talent at every level. Tre’Davious White might be the second best cornerback in the NFL, Tremaine Edmunds is already an elite linebacker, and defensive lineman Ed Olvier has the potential to be special in this league. But talent is far from the only reason they’re great.
What McDermott has done with the defense, since taking over as head coach in 2017, has been a revolution. Buffalo, in just three short seasons, has gone from a below-average defense to statistically one of the best groups in the NFL. And they don’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon.
With one of the best head coaches in the game, and a roster overflowing with talent, the Buffalo Bills had to have put together a special season in 2019, right? Right?
