Cheektowaga, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - Despite the bitter taste of defeat still resonating in the hours after Sunday's AFC Championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, many members of "Bills Mafia" battled the elements early Monday morning to welcome the Buffalo Bills home, and show support for their favorite hometown team.
Despite the team not arriving back in Buffalo until close to 3 a.m. on Monday, a several dozen Bills fans congregated outside the fence at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport to cheer the team on, even after a 32-29 loss in the AFC title game.
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"I have been a Season Ticket holder for 35 years. I'm 66, I've been a fan since I was 6-years-old. I know what it's like to be in the loss column with the team, but I also know what they have brought, the joy that they have brought to my life," said Bills fan Patti Bax from North Tonawanda. I want to give them some thank you and gratitude, and let them know that even though they lost, they didn't lose in our hearts. We love them forever."
Meanwhile, Jeff from Akron made the trek to the airport on Monday to see the team one last time before the long offseason awaits.
"I'm here because it's the last time I'm gonna be able see this team until August. Besides the draft, there's really nothing to look forward to," said Jeff in an interview with WBEN.
While Sunday's playoff loss to the Chiefs - the fourth time the Bills' season has come to an end at the hands of Kansas City - was a tough pill to swallow for many Bills fans, there was still plenty to be proud of with this 2024 squad.
"We tried our hardest," said Bills fan Brianna from Blasdell. "Josh Allen did everything he could. You've got James Cook, you've got everybody that could possibly do what they could. We fought as a team, fought everything we possibly could. Just unfortunate that we lost by a few points."
Bax feels the Bills really embodied the community this season, and showed a great deal of love for each other and Western New York.
"Mack Hollins was an incredible addition to the team, and I think he embodied, really, the spirit of everyone," Bax said with WBEN. "I just can't thank the team enough for the memories, the joys. It's hard right now because it's heartbreaking, and I shed many tears tonight, but yet, on the other hand, I have to show some gratitude for what they brought.
Many fans, including Bob from Tonawanda, were just grateful for the way the Bills finished the 2024 season, even when many thought this was set to be a "re-tooling year".
"We got rid of [Stefon] Diggs. It was like, 'Wait, it's going to be another down season.' And we just went to the playoffs as far as we could to, again, hit the head on the wall," said Bob with WBEN. "How many times we go against Kansas City? But we didn't get blown out. It's anybody's game. It was three points, I mean, really, that's close."
Many Bills fans will also remember 2024 fondly for the season Allen had, helping Buffalo not just to an AFC Championship Game, but also a fifth AFC East title in as many years.
"Josh Allen was definitely having an MVP seasons, doing great this year. Probably the best season he's ever had in his prime," said Zach from Gowanda.
"Everyone was saying they're losing Stefon Diggs, all these key players, and we're bringing in rookies and stuff. But I think Josh Allen stepped up big time this year. He was the leader, and really good this year," added Zach's brother Owen.
With the 2024 season now over for the Bills, what do fans want to see from this team in the offseason with the hopes of returning to the AFC Championship Game, and even the Super Bowl?
Bax is all-in on trying to make some splash additions to the roster.
"I'd love to see Maxx Crosby come on the team, he's definitely one of my favorites I'd like to see added. I think we just need to get a few more wide receivers. We don't need a diva, but I'd love to see somebody who could really step up, good hands, maybe some speed. And I think just a few minor tweaks here and there, and I think we'll be OK," she said.
Jeff would also like to see some roster adjustments this upcoming offseason.
"Defensively, I think we gotta say bye with Damar [Hamlin], got to get a replacement there," Jeff said We need a starting wide receiver, a main No. 1 receiver. We have the No. 2, 3s, but Keon [Coleman], I don't think he was what we thought he was going to be. Worthy probably would have been the better pick, we saw that tonight. It sucks."
Meanwhile, other Bills fans are hoping the composure of the team remains the same, feeling that this group can beat teams like the Chiefs come next season in the playoffs.
"They know what they're working for. I think Josh Allen said it in his postgame interview: To be the champ, you gotta beat the champ. That's what they've gotta do next season," Owen said.
"I feel like if we continue to play like we've played, where we play as a team, you don't blame one person for our losses, you don't blame one person for a win. It doesn't come down to one person. We play as a team, we win as a team, we lose as a team. We can do this. We can win a Super Bowl. We can go to the Super Bowl," Brianna added.