Buffalo Bills: Derek Boyko Replaces Scott Berchtold as VP of Communications

The Buffalo Bills announced yesterday that Derek Boyko will join the team as VP of Communications, replacing Scott Berchtold.

Scott Berchtold is a name most Buffalo Bills‘ fans will recognize, but Derek Boyko might be new to your memory.

In late February, the Bills announced that Berchtold would be stepping down as VP of Communications — a spot he has held for nearly 30 years. It was also announced that Derek Boyko, who has spent the past 17 years with the Philadelphia Eagles, will take his place.

Boyko joins the Buffalo Bills at a perfect time. Reports early this offseason suggested that there was dysfunction in the organization, which was quickly dismissed by owner Terry Pegula as an “insult.” Whether there is — or was — dysfunction, the team has been taking hit after hit in their PR department for quite some time.

Here to help fix the Bills’ image, Boyko brings a lot of hope to his hometown team. Not only is he a native of the area, but he’s a graduate of Canisius College.

Buffalo Bills‘ president Russ Brandon had encouraging words for Boyko, according to the Buffalo News:

"“Derek brings a wealth of NFL experience to the Bills organization and will be a very valuable addition as the leader of our communications department,” team president Russ Brandon said in a press release. “On behalf of the Bills organization, I would like to thank Scott for his class and dignity while steering our communications efforts for close to three decades. As we welcome Derek and his successful track record to the organization, we also look forward to the continued benefit of Scott’s experience, as he will oversee a number of important projects in his new position.”"

As I state above, he has spent the past 17 years as the Philadelphia Eagles’ main media contact. He has helped the Eagles through some tough times, most recently the Chip Kelly era that didn’t go well at all. His experiences will be well met in Buffalo while new head coach Sean McDermott attempts to change the culture surrounding the team.

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Boyko will have big shoes to fill after Scott Berchtold has held the position for several decades. Berchtold joined the Buffalo Bills in 1989 and was a part of the team’s glory days with Jim Kelly. He has been a part of the public relations staff for the Super Bowl the past 9 seasons — something Boyko has done four times in his career.

Berchtold will transition to a special assistant to Boyko.

There’s no doubt the Buffalo Bills will look to fix their image next season after a disastrous 2016. Boyko will certainly help with that and having Berchtold by his side will benefit the team even more.

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What do you think of Derek Boyko joining the Buffalo Bills? Leave your thoughts below!