‘Too many years of irresponsible decision making.’
By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Bills didn’t make a deal at the 2019 NFL trade deadline, as that door slammed shut on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
It wasn’t a shock, but there was some hope.
Buffalo made moves at the deadline in the past under their current front office. In fact, they added talent via Kelvin Benjamin in 2017. The team then was 5-2, like the current team is now.
Speaking of looking in the past, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott spoke for the organization’s stand-pat during Tuesday’s deadline and that’s where he pointed to: The past. It sounded, perhaps, harsh, too.
McDermott said there were deals on the table, like many steering the ship for NFL teams said after the deadline.
“It says we are confident in the guys we have and we expect them to play well,” McDermott said Wednesday. “It also says that if there is not a responsible move for us to make, we’re not going to make it. That’s what we’re here to do.”
Continuing, McDermott said moves in the past were mistakes, essentially.
“There have been way too many years of irresponsible decision making. Let’s just put it that way,” McDermott said.
The comment turned some said considering the oft-plain McDermott press conference jargon he speaks. He did later add that, of course.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to do things in the best interest of this organization short and long term,” he said.
Considering the Bills front office since McDermott’s hiring, the comments look directed at his predecessor. That could include former General Manager Doug Whaley.
Or McDermott, which is likely the case, was generalizing.
However, it is fair to point out that McDermott and current General Manager Brandon Beane did complete an overhaul of the organization upon their arrival. Much of that included moving on from players and decisions made by Whaley in the more recent past.
Again, pegging his comments as a slight against Whaley is an assumption, but regardless, was a nice breathe of fresh air and honesty from McDermott.
Because frankly, he’s right.