While the Buffalo Bills may have lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game and Brandon Beane called them the "gold standard" of the conference, the Bills general manager also noted on Wednesday that his team needs to make sure they still focus on winning their division first and foremost if they even want a shot to challenge Kansas City for conference supremacy going forward.
"They're the leader in the clubhouse," Beane said in a Zoom conference call with the media. "You've got to catch them all if you want to get to the Super Bowl, but it will first start with winning the AFC East. We still have to go back to that. You've got to win your division, that gives you the best chance. We want to host [playoff] games here. We hosted two games, but we want to host that last game, that AFC Championship Game, here in Orchard Park."
Beane said that's what he told players in their final meetings this week, as well, and that is a goal of the organization next year.
While the Bills were only one game away from playing in Super Bowl LV in Tampa Bay, Florida in two weeks, Beane reiterated what head coach Sean McDermott said on Tuesday - they can't be complacent, and have to start from the beginning to be able to get back to where they were.
"Next year is a new year," Beane said. "Nothing we did will matter when we start this offseason or start [training] camp. Every team is built up of new players, so we'll have to hit the reset button. We've got a lot of work to do to try and get this thing going and build a team that can earn its way back to where we were, and hopefully further."
Beane touched on a variety of topics in his end-of-season press conference that lasted more than an hour. He said he believed McDermott "had his best year" and that he'd have his vote for NFL Coach of the Year.
Here are some other topics Beane was asked about and what he said:
Beane on quarterback Josh Allen:
"He's shown people what he can do in this league and I don't think he's reached his ceiling. I think there's still growth for him."
Beane on the struggles of the running game:
Beane said it's unfair to put it all on running backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, and believed there were several factors that impacted that.
Beane on tight end production:
Beane said he didn't think the Bills' tight ends threatened defenses enough to have to worry about them, which could be an indication that they will look to upgrade that spot this offseason. The Bills faced opposing tight ends such as Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, Mike Gesicki, Mark Andrews, Hunter Henry, Jack Doyle, and several others this season. They saw them up-close, had to defend them and saw the problems those kinds of players can pose for a defense.
Beane on pending free agent linebacker Matt Milano:
Beane said the team has expressed their interest in keeping Milano, and will do their best to do that. However, Beane added that the linebacker has earned the right to test the free agent market and get paid.
Beane on defensive tackle Ed Oliver:
"Ed is playing really well. He doesn't have sack numbers, but he impacts both the pass and run game. The sacks will come as he continues to learn the game... he faces a lot of doubles, too."
Beane on linebacker Tremaine Edmunds:
"Tremaine is 22-years-old, he's a young player. We still have a lot of confidence in him and what he'll grow to." Beane said he felt the shoulder injury Edmunds suffered opening week really impacted him for much of the season.
Beane on rookie cornerback Dane Jackson:
Beane said he wished the team had more practice squad elevations to use on Jackson, but they used their allotment up early. However, he said Jackson will have every opportunity next season to not only win a roster spot, but "we'll see who starts opposite [Tre'Davious White]."
Beane on the defensive line:
"I thought the second half of the year those guys played really well." He said no preseason games, plus having two new coaches at the position impacted their time to gel and get in sync.
Beane on defensive end A.J. Epenesa:
The Bills asked Epenesa to get his body weight down from his college days at Iowa, where he was 280 pounds. Beane said he got it way down, and even a bit lighter than they wanted. Epenesa is listed as 260 pounds on the team's website. Beane said that caused Epenesa to start slow, and they were concerned how he'd hold up against the run, but that he got better as the season went on.
You can listen to the entire conference call below:
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