Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and general manager/newly promoted president of football operations addressed the media to discuss the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott. Frankly, between throwing others under the bus and making excuses while somehow bragging about their baseline of success, it was tough to listen to them.
Pegula wasn't afraid to share what was on his mind during the roughly 50-minute press conference. He made some eye-opening comments that should grab Bills Mafia's attention, albeit not in the way they presumably hoped or imagined. However, perhaps the most frustrating takeaway of it all is the expectations — or lack thereof — for McDermott's successor.
Point-blank, a reporter asked if McDermott's eventual replacement will be slapped with a "Super Bowl or bust" mandate, and Pegula's response was maddening.
Bills owner Terry Pegula riles up Buffalo fans after Sean McDermott firing
By the sound of it, Pegula's words don't align with his actions. Relieving McDermott of his duties because the team had repeatedly failed to get over the hump under him is a win-now move. Yet, on the other hand, the 74-year-old didn't want to put championship expectations on the Bills' next sideline general.
"No, we can't say that to somebody coming in," Pegula said. "We're making a change, and it's 'do your best job.'"
If Pegula is fine with falling short in the playoffs yet again, why not just stick with McDermott? Why willingly take on what's been a public relations nightmare only to be OK settling for the same disappointing results? It's truly difficult to wrap our heads around.
The glaring lack of urgency about what comes next for the Bills is alarming. They have a window that slowly but surely feels like it's closing. Moving on from a respected leader of McDermott's pedigree is supposed to be their attempt at maximizing what's left of superstar quarterback Josh Allen's prime.
Instead, Pegula ostensibly parted ways with McDermott to save face. He emphasized that it was a snap decision following the Bills' Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. Nevertheless, after a remarkable nine-season tenure, McDermott proved to be the fall guy for Beane.
Bills fans have every right to be skeptical of the Bills' brain trust. There was an apparent disconnect between Pegula and Beane at the podium, marking a rocky start to the post-McDermott era.