I've said it before and I'll say it again. This team had better win next year. If it doesn't keeping Mularkey on as HC was a huge mistake. It will turn next year into a lame duck year, one that doesn't help the team move forward at all. If Mularkey stumbles next year and gets fired at year end we'll have to wait 2-3 more seasons while the new coaching staff implements their systems and gets their feet under them.
To me this is akin to developing a young QB. Why put off his development in a season that's likely to be a failure when you can get his feet under him right now. Next season could have been a "learning" season for a new coaching staff. As it is we'll likely have to wait two years for that "learning" season. If next year isn't a productive one this team's playoff drought is likely to last at least 8 years before a realistic shot at the playoffs can be achieved.
This is so typical. The Bills never seem to want to build a foundation, it’s “try to win this year” even if it’s obvious that they aren’t capable to doing so. They end up finding stop gap solutions, that never actually enable them to win this year and only serves to stymie their future development.
So the questions are, who actually thinks this team is capable of winning next year and what will it take for Mularkey to keep his job?