If Beane had not gone on WGR in April 2025, would you still think he is the problem?

[DrDawkinstein]

3 hours ago, Draconator said:

Straight forward question. Beane was held in higher regard in some circles. Then when he called into WGR to complain about the criticism of his lacking to draft a quality WR, he has never really recovered for that. 

 

Lets clarify.

 

He didnt call into WGR to complain about criticism.

 

He was scheduled to appear, was waiting on hold, and heard the preceding segment where they criticized the WRs, then was brought on the air. He was literally just addressing the last topic of their discussion. 

 

I think his little tirade did damage his image. If nothing else, acts like that make the rest of the media band together and unite against you, so youre never going to get a good spin or a fair take on anything again. And they largely control the narrative. Hence, all the gnashing and wailing going on online this week.

[notpolian]

Just now, Billsfanatic8989 said:

He is lucky he isn't a GM in Philadelphia or NYC (East Rutherford). Tomorrow would not have been a comfortable day for him at all. Media is downright vicious in those cities. 

I'm actually near Philly for a couple days and I've been listening to their sports radio.  It's hilarious how "negative" and passive aggressive they are.  Hurts is just getting flayed constantly.  He'd have a statue in Buffalo (and I'd chip in).

[ALLinALLEN]

1 hour ago, BRH said:

 

They must have brought it up a half dozen times on WGR today at various points.  Months later and everyone on that station is still smarting from it.  Imagine the victory parade they would have had if Beane had been fired.

 

PFF is a joke and so are their grades.  I don’t blame Beane for telling them exactly that.

I agree that PFF stinks, but if a bad grade on a draft pick prompts you, as a GM on an NFL team, to call and threaten to pull funding unless they alter it...that's wimpy *****. Why care that much? If you're a confident GM, you make your move and you don't care what the media says. "This helps us better our team" is all you should need. Apparently Beane REALLY cares about what people think of his moves, from this story and the WGR thing. You also can't be bottom barrel fishing for WR's mid season every year, and then get outraged when people question your WR moves when the offense has nobody. If you signed/traded for big names like Diggs, and it didnt work out, then you can flame them because, "look I tried." You can't lash out at fans and the radio guys because you shopped at Fuccillo expecting a Lambo. 

 

And yes - I generally think the WGR guys are losers too..the "WR Train", give me a break. But that's even more reason not to give them any fodder.

 

Edited January 21 by ALLinALLEN

[DeepPass]

3 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

People here HEAPED braise on "Big Baller Beane" for years. I was never impressed. I thought his pick of Josh Allen, as most QB picks are, was complete luck. I'm sure they believed in him, but I'm also sure that every GM believes in their top 10 QB on draft day.

Outside of Allen, it's been whiffs, singles and the occasional double. He did a great job finding serviceable players late, but we do not have a single other superstar on the 53 man roster. And no, I don't consider James Cook a superstar, though that may be an unpopular opinion.

His WGR appearance undoubtedly damaged his reputation, but it doesn't change the draft history or atrocious FA acquisitions.

I agree with you about James Cook.  He's a very good running back in the NFL but benefits from a superb offensive line and the threat of Josh passing.

[Nephilim17]

If he were to apologize for the WGR rant or his lack of truly addressing the WR room, it would buy a fair measure of goodwill. 

Wouldn't erase his mistakes and shortfalls, but would be a smart PR move. Not counting on it.

[familykwi]

Regardless of his arrogance and disrespect, there are many other reasons to think he’s not been great at his job.

[philholbroo]

If Keon has a great 2026, does this all go away?

[Kirby Jackson]

10 hours ago, Draconator said:

Straight forward question. Beane was held in higher regard in some circles. Then when he called into WGR to complain about the criticism of his lacking to draft a quality WR, he has never really recovered for that. 

This isn’t fantasy football. What kind of question is that?!?

 

In all seriousness, I thought he was doing a bad job at the time because I agreed with the question. Until the last couple of years Beane was doing well. It felt like we were getting worse and there was obviously this giant hole at WR.
 

When he did the WGR interview it was clear that he didn’t “get it.” Either he thought they were okay at WR, in which case he’s an idiot. If he believed that, he was incompetent and unfit to select a team in gym class, forget about the NFL. Or he was lying and the thought that he could be challenged was so beneath him that he snapped. If he’s that fragile, he’s not a guy that should be in that role. I lean towards the latter but either way, it dinged him. He wasn’t bulletproof at the time of the interview but he also took a massive step back that day too. 
 

Addendum: As I think through the call it may provide some foreshadowing into the hiring process. If Beane is such an out-of-touch egomaniac, we shouldn’t rule out any candidates based on “X, Y, Z.” Candidate X coaches girls 8 & under flag football in Eden? He’s a brilliant young offensive mind and I know better than you. Good thing I’m in charge of finding the next HC. 🤣🤣 The point being don’t expect him to be crossing off candidates because of their experience. He knows best. Guelli will be a nice check on that. 

Edited January 21 by Kirby Jackson

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Lets clarify.

 

He didnt call into WGR to complain about criticism.

 

He was scheduled to appear, was waiting on hold, and heard the preceding segment where they criticized the WRs, then was brought on the air. He was literally just addressing the last topic of their discussion. 

 

I think his little tirade did damage his image. If nothing else, acts like that make the rest of the media band together and unite against you, so youre never going to get a good spin or a fair take on anything again. And they largely control the narrative. Hence, all the gnashing and wailing going on online this week.

 

And then by week 7 or 8 of the season he was pulling wide receivers in off the street to prop up his WR room..... what hurt his image most is that he went full ham on them and then was unequivocally wrong.

[Kirby Jackson]

6 hours ago, DrDawkinstein said:

 

Lets clarify.

 

He didnt call into WGR to complain about criticism.

 

He was scheduled to appear, was waiting on hold, and heard the preceding segment where they criticized the WRs, then was brought on the air. He was literally just addressing the last topic of their discussion. 

 

I think his little tirade did damage his image. If nothing else, acts like that make the rest of the media band together and unite against you, so youre never going to get a good spin or a fair take on anything again. And they largely control the narrative. Hence, all the gnashing and wailing going on online this week.

To take it a step further, they were proven right pretty quickly. That just emboldened everyone that saw the obvious and discredited Beane.

[Ayjent]

I don't give a crap about what he says, and care more about what he does in his role as GM.  The Offense is effective and they dominated the Broncos D for most of the game other than turnovers, and that is due to the roster he put together.  But that roster also has some major flaws that have never been addressed going on for most of his time as GM, namely, the WR position around Josh.  Even when Diggs was here the rest of the room was not really very good.  Gabe is a dependable player but not a No. 2.  Now, Shakir is a solid player too, but not a No. 1.  FA cast offs have not gelled here other than Mack Hollins, which maybe they should have resigned rather than Palmer and Moore.  I think there is also some blame on Brady but the talent isn't there and its obvious watching the All 22.  They always have had only part of the picture at WR and never a complete roster that would ultimately make them lethal however they want to attack a Defense.

 

On the Defensive side, oh man, not a good batting percentage, but I think this is where Beane may have won the ear of Pegula.  I think Beane may have been competing with McD on FA and Draft Pick selections and ultimately where the tension was.  The results were always the same even though the faces and DCs changed, and you know that McD had his hands all over the D because of it.  There really wasn't an evolution and teams with good coaching always knew how to effectively attack the D when it mattered most.  We can point to misses in the draft, the amount of draft capital spent on the D, and generally the construction of a light D built to stop the pass but vulnerable to the run without any consistent ability to bring pass rush pressure with just the front 4.  Beane and McD are both culpable here IMO, but McD was the guy coaching at the end of the day when the Bills faltered on D time and time again in the playoffs.  Giving up that TD at the end of the half against the Broncos, and then the final TD in the 4th quarter were just two nails in the coffin.  The team never held its ground when it mattered and that was coaching/execution.  I get that there were people subbing in, but in no world can you not have some help and leave these guys on an island as soon as you put them in the game with so much on the line.  That's getting outcoached and it was his MO.

[TwistofFate]

Beane didn't hire McDermott. 

 

Beane didn't hire coordinators. 

 

Beane doesn't develop players. 

 

Beane doesn't decide who plays. 

 

I question McDermotts player development.  I question his ability to hire qualified coordinators. I question his critical game decisions. I question his ability to out coach other elite coaches. 

 

I dont question his leadership, his moral compass, his ability to build character, his ability to lead men or his dedication to his craft. 

 

I refuse to believe a team that has dominated this entire decade in every stat, has a poor roster. 

 

I refuse to believe a poor roster can defeat KC 4 straight regular season games, only to lose 4 straight times in the post season with the same roster. 

 

Two things can be true at the same time. 

 

McDermott is a great coach and leader of men. 

 

McDermott cant win against excellent coaches when it matters most. 

 

 

[Mr. WEO]

that was simply when Beane admitted he was inept, but most already knew this.

[Captain Murica]

3 minutes ago, TwistofFate said:

Beane didn't hire McDermott. 

 

Beane didn't hire coordinators. 

 

Beane doesn't develop players. 

 

Beane doesn't decide who plays. 

 

I question McDermotts player development.  I question his ability to hire qualified coordinators. I question his critical game decisions. I question his ability to out coach other elite coaches. 

 

I dont question his leadership, his moral compass, his ability to build character, his ability to lead men or his dedication to his craft. 

 

I refuse to believe a team that has dominated this entire decade in every stat, has a poor roster. 

 

I refuse to believe a poor roster can defeat KC 4 straight regular season games, only to lose 4 straight times in the post season with the same roster. 

 

Two things can be true at the same time. 

 

McDermott is a great coach and leader of men. 

 

McDermott cant win against excellent coaches when it matters most. 

 

 

You know, it would’ve been nice to Maxwell Hairston instead of Dane Jackson out of there. But we really needed him in that

meaningless 4th quarter of the season finale. 

[May Day 10]

At the eagles game there was this fat nerd who was super negative the entire game.  He was heckling kids and other fans for giving high fives for good plays.

 

All he kept harping on was Brandon beane's call/interview on WGR

 

It made me loathe anyone who still cares strongly about that

[twoandfourteen]

I thought he was a problem since well before his humiliating, childish outburst on the radio. 

[Ayjent]

I should make one thing clear.  I think McD did a hell of a job still, and I respect him very much.  He was a good leader and a good person by all accounts. 

 

Beane I think is an arrogant guy and who knows what kind of person beyond that.  The reality is that it doesn't really matter if you are good at what you do, and I know that is debatable with respect to Beane.  However, they made a change and they are trying to get the championship.  Whether it was the right move remains to be seen.

[Puckman5]

4 hours ago, philholbroo said:

If Keon has a great 2026, does this all go away?

At least Keon made a play in the Denver game.  There a long list of players that didn't.  He was what you'd expect of a project rookie WR until his injury.  Look at his numbers.  Beane (or McBeane) still drafted him too high, so no, nothing gets erased.  

[Wolfgang]

My issue with Beane isn't with what he says or doesn't say...

 

It's the results...

 

8 years of investing in the defense and the quality of players brought in is especially terrible when you focus on the D line...

 

If the goal is a pass rush with 4, then he gets an F...

 

His handling of the salary cap is also terrible...

 

I don't miss McD, but keeping Beane is a mystery to me...

[Ayjent]

4 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

And then by week 7 or 8 of the season he was pulling wide receivers in off the street to prop up his WR room..... what hurt his image most is that he went full ham on them and then was unequivocally wrong.

Sure, but at the time it looked like Keon was emerging as the No. 1 they hoped for, they had Shakir and a very healthy competition for roster spots at the position.  I'm not saying it was top notch or anything, or that I didn't have issues with the position.  I'm just saying that it looked a lot better in camp than it ended up.  Also part of it is defending the guys on the roster and showing confidence in them.  I also don't know if Brady really modifies his concepts to the strength of his WRs beyond their blocking ability. 

 

Bottom line I agree that he definitely could've handled it without being an arrogant a$$ about it, but you can at least see where it was coming from.  I didn't agree with his take and have been very much in favor of drafting WRs instead of reaching for DTs that end up being JAGs.