Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane joins “The Insiders” for an exclusive interview at the NFL Annual League meeting to discuss offseason operations.
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Video Transcript
Bills general manager Brandon Beane, welcome to the Insiders, Brandon.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane, welcome to the Insiders, Brandon.
What’s going on?
What’s going on?
Yeah, it’s a little warmer than Buffalo, so just soaking up a little sun out here.
Yeah, it’s a little warmer than Buffalo, so just soaking up a little sun out here.
58.
58.
Yes, hey, that’s balmy.
Yes, hey, that’s balmy.
Shirts off in Buffalo right now.
Shirts off in Buffalo right now.
Give us the latest medical update on Josh.
Give us the latest medical update on Josh.
The last time we saw him, he basically couldn’t walk.
The last time we saw him, he basically couldn’t walk.
So where is he now in his recovery?
So where is he now in his recovery?
Yeah, so he’s, he had a procedure done after the season and he’s doing well.
Yeah, so he’s, he had a procedure done after the season and he’s doing well.
You know, I wouldn’t want to say he’s 100% today, but he should be able to fully participate in our offseason program, and it’s crazy with a new coach.
You know, I wouldn’t want to say he’s 100% today, but he should be able to fully participate in our offseason program, and it’s crazy with a new coach.
We get to start that up next week.
We get to start that up next week.
So looking forward to seeing him and the rest of our guys back in Buffalo.
So looking forward to seeing him and the rest of our guys back in Buffalo.
Speaking of.
Speaking of.
Coaches see him walking around here, uh, you know, a popular guy, a well respected guy around, I certainly well respected in your building.
Coaches see him walking around here, uh, you know, a popular guy, a well respected guy around, I certainly well respected in your building.
How do you grade him so far?
How do you grade him so far?
I know we, we haven’t graded him with wins and losses just yet, but, uh, what’s impressed you so far?
I know we, we haven’t graded him with wins and losses just yet, but, uh, what’s impressed you so far?
Yeah, I mean, I think just his, his, his detail every day, and, and I go back to when this was the first time through.
Yeah, I mean, I think just his, his, his detail every day, and, and I go back to when this was the first time through.
I’ve interviewed a lot of people , you know, in this position, but first time going through a head coach search.
I’ve interviewed a lot of people , you know, in this position, but first time going through a head coach search.
And so one of the things that, uh, you’re kind of looking and you’re kind of asking these guys.
And so one of the things that, uh, you’re kind of looking and you’re kind of asking these guys.
In follow-ups or second interviews is all right, you said you’re gonna do this, how are you gonna pull this off?
In follow-ups or second interviews is all right, you said you’re gonna do this, how are you gonna pull this off?
You said you’re gonna hire this person.
You said you’re gonna hire this person.
What is the rest of their staff?
What is the rest of their staff?
How and Joe was very meticulous, detailed in that, you know, not in the first, but the follow-up interview and just really the, the staff that he put together.
How and Joe was very meticulous, detailed in that, you know, not in the first, but the follow-up interview and just really the, the staff that he put together.
Uh, it’s been fun to get to know these guys.
Uh, it’s been fun to get to know these guys.
Some of them, you, you know them from afar and respect them and just the types of, obviously you want good smart coaches, but the types of people, uh, a lot of positive energy.
Some of them, you, you know them from afar and respect them and just the types of, obviously you want good smart coaches, but the types of people, uh, a lot of positive energy.
So I just, I think Joe’s really, he didn’t just come in and say all these things that you really can’t pull off.
So I just, I think Joe’s really, he didn’t just come in and say all these things that you really can’t pull off.
I’ve seen him very detailed, kind of just lining things up, and I think our players will see that when they get in the building next week.
I’ve seen him very detailed, kind of just lining things up, and I think our players will see that when they get in the building next week.
I mean, he was obviously in the building, so how are we going to see the fingerprints that he puts on the team?
I mean, he was obviously in the building, so how are we going to see the fingerprints that he puts on the team?
What’s going to look different?
What’s going to look different?
Yeah, I mean, listen, some of that will take time, but I think Joe is, his, his motto is like, hey, look at this as if I’m coming from another team and let’s It’s not just, you know, passing a baton down.
Yeah, I mean, listen, some of that will take time, but I think Joe is, his, his motto is like, hey, look at this as if I’m coming from another team and let’s It’s not just, you know, passing a baton down.
Um, listen, there’s things he’s learned from Sean Payton.
Um, listen, there’s things he’s learned from Sean Payton.
There’s things he’s learned, uh, at college at LSU.
There’s things he’s learned, uh, at college at LSU.
There’s things he learned from Sean McDermott like he’s been around winning programs, but we all, like there’s things I learned you don’t necessarily wanna just be, you wanna be your own person and put your own stamp on it.
There’s things he learned from Sean McDermott like he’s been around winning programs, but we all, like there’s things I learned you don’t necessarily wanna just be, you wanna be your own person and put your own stamp on it.
So there’ll be a lot of things.
So there’ll be a lot of things.
Joe’s got his own mottos, his own kind of saying, some of them he took from offense, some, you know, he kind of held with himself because they didn’t necessarily fall exactly within.
Joe’s got his own mottos, his own kind of saying, some of them he took from offense, some, you know, he kind of held with himself because they didn’t necessarily fall exactly within.
Uh, you know, the head coach that he was working for before, but, um, I think he, he is coming in.
Uh, you know, the head coach that he was working for before, but, um, I think he, he is coming in.
Our players will see that with some new signage, just a new feel to our building.
Our players will see that with some new signage, just a new feel to our building.
I think I heard him at some point say during the interview process when he spoke to Josh.
I think I heard him at some point say during the interview process when he spoke to Josh.
Josh sort of treated it like he didn’t even know him, right?
Josh sort of treated it like he didn’t even know him, right?
He interviewed him that way.
He interviewed him that way.
How much did that help, uh, having Josh take the whole process as seriously as he did and be involved in that process?
How much did that help, uh, having Josh take the whole process as seriously as he did and be involved in that process?
I think it was great.
I think it was great.
Just, you know, some people, uh, do you , why is the quarterback involved?
Just, you know, some people, uh, do you , why is the quarterback involved?
You know, Josh has established himself obviously as an MVP player, and, um, Josh wanted nothing to do with the decision, but, um, at the same time.
You know, Josh has established himself obviously as an MVP player, and, um, Josh wanted nothing to do with the decision, but, um, at the same time.
You wanna see that when we make a decision that he solved the process we went through and, and one of the things because it wasn’t, you know, we knew uh Brian Dabable interviewed for this job, we knew some of the other people.
You wanna see that when we make a decision that he solved the process we went through and, and one of the things because it wasn’t, you know, we knew uh Brian Dabable interviewed for this job, we knew some of the other people.
Louan Arrumo you passed through over the years, you know him, but you, but you don’t know him in this, in this light.
Louan Arrumo you passed through over the years, you know him, but you, but you don’t know him in this, in this light.
So, uh, I think it was cool for Josh to see and hear each of their presentations, how they saw our team, uh, from .
So, uh, I think it was cool for Josh to see and hear each of their presentations, how they saw our team, uh, from .
Far how they saw what needed to, you know, needed to get us over the hump and, and it varied, you know, what people saw a lot of things were the same, but everyone had kind of their own twist, but I just think no matter what decision was made, uh, it obviously went with Joe, but if it had gone with someone else, Josh at least knew the thorough process we went and, and how we were trying to get to the answer of who the next head coach would be.
Far how they saw what needed to, you know, needed to get us over the hump and, and it varied, you know, what people saw a lot of things were the same, but everyone had kind of their own twist, but I just think no matter what decision was made, uh, it obviously went with Joe, but if it had gone with someone else, Josh at least knew the thorough process we went and, and how we were trying to get to the answer of who the next head coach would be.
He obviously brought in DJ Moore already um as part of the process.
He obviously brought in DJ Moore already um as part of the process.
First of all, what do you see in him and what do you expect to bring, but does that also preclude you from maybe taking a wide receiver early in the draft?
First of all, what do you see in him and what do you expect to bring, but does that also preclude you from maybe taking a wide receiver early in the draft?
Yeah, I mean, I think DJ is one of those guys that he came out in Josh’s draft, a guy we thought very highly of him, and, um, you know, started his career in Carolina and was doing some really good things there as a part of that trade, you know, that Carolina wanted to get a quarterback and so goes to Chicago, continued that success .
Yeah, I mean, I think DJ is one of those guys that he came out in Josh’s draft, a guy we thought very highly of him, and, um, you know, started his career in Carolina and was doing some really good things there as a part of that trade, you know, that Carolina wanted to get a quarterback and so goes to Chicago, continued that success .
And I think just the timing of where Chica Chicago is in their build, some of the young players they had there, how they want to work their cap, he became available and we just look at him, Judy, as a guy, uh, that adds another big play, uh, you know, receiver weapon for, for Josh and, and Joe and crew and.
And I think just the timing of where Chica Chicago is in their build, some of the young players they had there, how they want to work their cap, he became available and we just look at him, Judy, as a guy, uh, that adds another big play, uh, you know, receiver weapon for, for Josh and, and Joe and crew and.
Uh, a very good run after catch player and still think, you know, watching the film, his stats were down, but if you watch the film, uh , you don’t see a drop off in his player route running or or his speed.
Uh, a very good run after catch player and still think, you know, watching the film, his stats were down, but if you watch the film, uh , you don’t see a drop off in his player route running or or his speed.
So that’ll be exciting and listen, we’re gonna take the best player and, and if the best player at 26 or 91 , uh, we don’t have a second because of that deal, whoever it is, if it’s a receiver we think can help him, we, you know, we wouldn’t hesitate to turn the card in.
So that’ll be exciting and listen, we’re gonna take the best player and, and if the best player at 26 or 91 , uh, we don’t have a second because of that deal, whoever it is, if it’s a receiver we think can help him, we, you know, we wouldn’t hesitate to turn the card in.
Best player available according to, uh, general manager Brandon Beane.
Best player available according to, uh, general manager Brandon Beane.
I like the approach.
I like the approach.
Um, did you watch Good Morning Football last week at all?
Um, did you watch Good Morning Football last week at all?
I missed it.
I missed it.
It’s OK.
It’s OK.
It’s all right.
It’s all right.
It’s OK.
It’s OK.
I miss it.
I miss it.
Catch me up.
Catch me up.
Brandon Cooks was on the show.
Brandon Cooks was on the show.
It’s fantastic.
It’s fantastic.
Still doesn’t agree with the call in the postseason, by the way, just to be crystal clear about that one.
Still doesn’t agree with the call in the postseason, by the way, just to be crystal clear about that one.
but we, we need to know.
but we, we need to know.
We need to program the, the show for Good Morning Football for the next couple of months.
We need to program the, the show for Good Morning Football for the next couple of months.
Do you think he might be busy, maybe in Buffalohap?
Do you think he might be busy, maybe in Buffalohap?
B Cooks is a stud.
B Cooks is a stud.
Uh, he was, you know, such a great addition for us.
Uh, he was, you know, such a great addition for us.
We had obviously were looking at the deadline, uh, at some of the potential options at receiver, and when none of those were able to happen.
We had obviously were looking at the deadline, uh, at some of the potential options at receiver, and when none of those were able to happen.
Uh, we turned our attention, you know, to him as, uh, as New Orleans was, was moving on and, um, made some big plays for us.
Uh, we turned our attention, you know, to him as, uh, as New Orleans was, was moving on and, um, made some big plays for us.
Obviously the catch, no catch, you know, we can sit here for hours and go through that.
Obviously the catch, no catch, you know, we can sit here for hours and go through that.
Uh, I’ll save that, but have talked to B Cooks, um , you know, once or twice since the season, texted and, and physically talked to him, but he’s, uh, a guy that, you know, can still play, can still help a team, and.
Uh, I’ll save that, but have talked to B Cooks, um , you know, once or twice since the season, texted and, and physically talked to him, but he’s, uh, a guy that, you know, can still play, can still help a team, and.
Um, you know, I think where we left things is let’s just, let’s wait things out, get through the draft, and continue conversations, you know, maybe later in the spring.
Um, you know, I think where we left things is let’s just, let’s wait things out, get through the draft, and continue conversations, you know, maybe later in the spring.
All right, the draft is coming up, so when you look at your team and what you’ve done already in free agency, where, where’s your mind going and things you need to still address?
All right, the draft is coming up, so when you look at your team and what you’ve done already in free agency, where, where’s your mind going and things you need to still address?
Yeah, I mean, Judy, we, there’s still positions that we could say, hey, we need a depth start, we need a starter, we need a depth, uh, piece, you know, we’ve, we’ve probably made more moves or we probably have.
Yeah, I mean, Judy, we, there’s still positions that we could say, hey, we need a depth start, we need a starter, we need a depth, uh, piece, you know, we’ve, we’ve probably made more moves or we probably have.
You know, more sure thing, sure bet answers at offense.
You know, more sure thing, sure bet answers at offense.
I think defensively we’re switching to a 3-4.
I think defensively we’re switching to a 3-4.
Jim Leonard’s come in, so we’re tweaking some things there, and I think there’s probably more opportunities to add there.
Jim Leonard’s come in, so we’re tweaking some things there, and I think there’s probably more opportunities to add there.
We obviously have to still follow our board, um, and, but at the end of the day we’re going to take the best player, um, but you know I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up adding more defense than offense when it’s all said and done.
We obviously have to still follow our board, um, and, but at the end of the day we’re going to take the best player, um, but you know I wouldn’t be surprised if we ended up adding more defense than offense when it’s all said and done.
Last one for you, at least for me.
Last one for you, at least for me.
How many kids do you have?
How many kids do you have?
2.
2.
You and your wife ever take a picture like that right there?
You and your wife ever take a picture like that right there?
Uh, no, no, no.
Uh, no, no, no.
Just a little morning coffee.
Just a little morning coffee.
Hey, to each his own, you gotta be having fun with that.
Hey, to each his own, you gotta be having fun with that.
Uh, he’s the best.
Uh, he’s the best.
He’s the best.
He’s the best.
They look great.
They look great.
Uh, they, they look great, fully caffeinated.
Uh, they, they look great, fully caffeinated.
They, hey, listen, they’re celebrities in their own world.
They, hey, listen, they’re celebrities in their own world.
Whatever they want to do, have at it.
Whatever they want to do, have at it.
Brandon Bean, whatever you wanna do, you can do too.
Brandon Bean, whatever you wanna do, you can do too.
Thank you so much for joining us.
Thank you so much for joining us.
Appreciate you guys having us on.
Appreciate you guys having us on.
Good way to wrap it up.
Good way to wrap it up.