Where Do the Buffalo Bills Go From Here?

Another year, another year of playoff heartbreak for the Buffalo Bills and their fans.

The Bills lost 33–30 in overtime to the Denver Broncos on the road in the divisional round, and while officiating was mentioned afterward, and yes, the refs didn’t exactly help, the Bills should’ve never been in a position to let the stripes determine their fate to begin with.

Josh Allen, their franchise quarterback, turned the ball over four times and the team turned it over five times on offense overall. And in a year where I don’t want to say "this was supposed to be their year" (because it feels like we say that every year with this team), there’s no doubt this was their best shot at getting to the Super Bowl for the first time in the Josh Allen era.

Just look who wasn't in the AFC playoff picture this time around. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t there. Joe Burrow wasn’t there. Lamar Jackson wasn’t there. Going into this postseason, Josh Allen was by far the best quarterback in the AFC. And once again, they couldn't get it done.

You could tell after the game that this team was emotionally wrecked. They knew this was their best chance. Allen said himself that he let his team down, and while I can’t blame this loss entirely on him, there’s no doubt he played his worst playoff game in a long time at the absolute worst possible moment.

So the question becomes: where do the Buffalo Bills go from here?

Because in my opinion, you cannot run this thing back and look your fans (or even Allen for that matter) in the face and think it’s going to be any different next year.

So what would I do? Well, first of all, Sean McDermott is a good coach. But you cannot bring him back as head coach.

He’s a defensive-minded coach, and while his defenses perform well in the regular season, every postseason game tells the same story. Every year it's seems like they give up at least thirty points a game. Even when Allen puts the team in position to win.

There’s a stat going that every quarterback–head coach duo that has won a Super Bowl together won their first won together within their first five years together. We are well past that point with Josh Allen and Sean McDermott.

The easiest thing to do is move on from the head coach, and honestly, I think that’s exactly what needs to happen.

As for replacements, the easy name is Mike Tomlin. I’d be supportive of that move. Is there an argument that it’s a lateral move? Sure. Some people think Tomlin is overrated. And ideally, you’d love to bring in a true offensive mind, but there isn’t some elite offensive genius sitting out there right now.

So you go get the best coach available.

You get Mike Tomlin before a TV network does and you give him Josh Allen, a true franchise quarterback. Something he hasn't had since prime Big Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh. Let Tomlin handle the culture, bring in the right coordinators, and find a way to help Allen finally get over the hump.

Next up, I wouldn’t be opposed to moving on from general manager Brandon Beane.

This roster just isn’t that good compared to past contenders. The Bills haven’t built a strong enough supporting system around Allen. If Allen doesn’t play an A+ or A++ game in the postseason, they have no shot. We saw that again yesterday.

This team relies solely on Allen, and because of that, he doesn’t have a great supporting cast. Look at what GMs like John Schneider and Les Snead have built in Seattle and Los Angeles. They have a stacked roster from top to bottom, regardless of who’s playing quarterback.

I understand Allen makes a ton of money, which limits resources, but that makes hitting on draft picks even more important. And Beane just hasn’t done that consistently enough.

They also need to go out and get a true wide receiver one.

I don’t buy the argument that Allen has never had one. That’s just not true. Stefon Diggs played a massive role in Allen’s development. But Allen is at a point now where he can elevate receivers, and still, you need to give him elite talent while he’s in his prime.

To be fair, I don’t love many of the available options, because a lot of them come with attitude concerns. But that can’t stop you this time around.

Maybe it’s trading for a guy like A.J. Brown. Maybe you overpay for George Pickens if Dallas doesn't re-sign. Maybe it’s Tyreek Hill. Maybe it’s DK Metcalf. Whoever the best receiver available is, you overpay to get him.

You cannot go into next season with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and the remains of Brandin Cooks as your wide receiver trio and tell fans that’s good enough to win a Super Bowl. It simply isn’t.

And lastly, we have to talk about Josh Allen.

Right now, I still think he’s the best quarterback in the NFL. But there’s no denying it anymore, he hasn’t been able to close in the playoffs.

Think about the last three years.

This year, in overtime against Denver, he had the ball to win the game. You can say Brandin Cooks caught that ball and the refs took it away, but make a better throw. Give him more room. Don’t fumble twice earlier in the game and even put yourself in that position.

Last year, you had the ball with three minutes left to win the AFC Championship in Kansas City. You gained 17 yards.

The year before that, you left it up to your kicker against the Chiefs at home and he missed. But that’s on you too. Go score a touchdown. Don’t put it in someone else’s hands.

The excuses have to stop.

Patrick Mahomes has been to the Super Bowl with a similar supporting cast. Joe Burrow took a team to the Super Bowl. Drake Maye is going to an AFC Championship Game with a roster that isn’t that good. Bo Nix won’t be playing next week, for Denver, but he beat you, closed the game, and broke his ankle in the process.

Josh Allen is the best quarterback in the NFL, but being the best isn’t enough if you can’t close when it matters most.

He can do it in September. He can do it in regular-season games everyone forgets about. Now he has to do it in the postseason when everyone’s watching.

Nevertheless, It’s time for a major shake-up in Buffalo.

Personnel. Coaching. Front office. Something has to change.

Buffalo cannot run this thing back next year and expect to be taken seriously as a true Super Bowl contender.

Because we’ve seen this movie before. And it always ends the same way.