On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills announced that they have fired general manager Doug Whaley. During Whaley’s four years as general manager, the Bills went 30-34 with their only winning season coming in 2014 when they finished 9-7. Despite the winning record, Buffalo would miss the playoffs, and after finishing this past season with a 7-9 record, their playoff drought now stands at 17 years.
Buffalo Bills Fire General Manager Doug Whaley
During Whaley’s four seasons with the Bills, they had three head coaches. Doug Marrone quit after the 2014 season, Rex Ryan was fired following the 2016 season despite only being two years into a five-year deal, and Sean McDermott was hired to replace Ryan this off-season.
After the Bills hired McDermott, Whaley’s public appearances became less and less frequent. It was McDermott, not Whaley, who spoke at Buffalo’s pre-draft news conference, and at each of the teams draft selections last week, despite Whaley apparently being in complete control over last week’s draft. Which makes his firing Sunday slightly unusual.
Bills owner, Terry Pegula, released a statement on Sunday addressing the firing of Whaley, as well as their search for a new general manager.
After a thorough review of our football operations over the past several months, Kim and I informed Doug this morning that we will be moving in a new direction. We have enjoyed working with Doug. He is a good person and we want to thank him for his work and commitment to our football team. This was my decision but I believe it’s the right one for the future of the Buffalo Bills. Our search for a new general manager will begin immediately.
Whaley, 44, joined the Bills organization in 2010 as the assistant general manager to the then GM, Buddy Nix. Prior to being hired by Buffalo, Whaley spent 11 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers scouting department. Nix would stepped down as general manager of the Bills following the 2013 NFL Draft and Whaley was promoted to general manager in May of that year.
The Bills also announced on Sunday that they’re letting their entire scouting staff go as well.
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