Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast

Episode Summary:

Title: Beane & McDermott on the Bills' Chiefs 'Problem', Kicking the Door, and Buffalo's Mindset for 2025
Date: January 31, 2025
Hosts: Mike Catalana, Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fates

Episode Theme & Purpose

The Buffalo Plus team breaks down the end-of-season press conferences from GM Brandon Beane and Head Coach Sean McDermott after another season ending with a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The episode explores the Bills’ ongoing struggle to overcome the Chiefs, the mindset and adjustments heading into 2025, assessments of key players, and the overall direction of the franchise. The hosts offer detailed reactions, inside perspective, and discussion of fan frustrations, transition, and where blame and optimism are justified.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Press Conference Vibes: Beane vs. McDermott

• Sean McDermott’s demeanor: Considered "comfortable but not whatever” (03:00), coming off as processed and measured after multiple post-game addresses.
• Brandon Beane’s demeanor: Notably "raw" and "defensive," (04:39) acknowledging he's “still emotional” and “not going to make any rash decisions” (03:50) so soon after the defeat.
• Quote:

  “We need to evaluate it. The loss is still raw.” - Dan Fates paraphrasing Beane (04:05)

2. Who Gets the Blame? McDermott vs. Beane

• The team discusses shifting fan and media blame from McDermott for in-game decisions to Beane for roster construction and first-round draft picks, especially as high selections have had underwhelming performances or minimal impact.
• Quote:

  “The drum beat about Sean McDermott is constant.” – Mike Catalana (06:16)

3. Perspective on the Chiefs ‘Hump’

• The conversation often references the Bills' inability to “get over the hump” against the Chiefs, but context is stressed: KC is a historically great team—a comparison is made to 1990s NBA Eastern Conference teams who couldn't get past Michael Jordan.

• Quote:

  “It’s a historic hump.” – Dan Fates (14:10)
  “That’s a terrible thing you just said.” – Mike Catalana (14:13)

• Frustration is balanced by respect for how consistently the Bills are near the top of the AFC, even if they haven’t broken through.

4. Beane’s 'Keep Kicking the Door' Mentality

• Beane, when pressed about the narrative, strongly insists on persistence rather than teardown:

  “Keep kicking the door. Keep kicking the door and you’re going to knock it down. That is my mentality. That is our mentality. We are not giving in... All that’s doing is making our chip bigger.” – Brandon Beane (11:18)

5. Comparisons and Second-Best Syndrome

• They acknowledge that, while the Bills may be the second-best team in the NFL, being consistently blocked by the Chiefs is both an indicator of accomplishment and a source of acute frustration.
• Reference is made to Andy Reid’s Philadelphia tenure (16:07), drawing parallels to McDermott's current experience.

Player Evaluations & Roster Discussion

6. Dalton Kincaid Critique

• Kincaid’s second season is dissected:

  • Expectations weren’t met; he needs to get stronger and more durable.
  • Both Beane and McDermott stress that while he has talent and toughness, he’s got to be more impactful.
  • Quotes:

    “Dalton makes those plays and it never comes down to just one play... my confidence, our confidence in Dalton is extremely high... he has to get to a level of health and strength.” – Sean McDermott (28:38)
    “Dalton didn’t have the year we expected, nothing for any particular reason except some durability things... he’s a big part of our plans moving forward.” – Brandon Beane (30:01)

• Hosts express concern that the “needs more strength” narrative is still present after two seasons.

7. Keon Coleman and Xavier Worthy Draft Fallout

• Coleman’s rookie year was hampered by injury and inconsistency post-injury.
  • Beane admits: “I did not see the same player after the injury. I wish he finished the season stronger.” (35:57)
• The trading of the pick to Kansas City (which they used to draft Worthy) is still a sore spot, especially as Worthy was impactful in the Bills-Chiefs game.
• Acknowledgment that evaluating the results of that deal will take years, but perception is stinging now.
• Quote:

  “You’re never getting that one back… that game was there for the taking.” – Mike Catalana (38:46)

8. Kair Elam’s Future

• Brutally honest: McDermott said Elam’s playoff performance “did not go well.” (46:37)
• Hosts conclude he’s likely done in Buffalo: “They cannot trust him in a game... they have to move on from him in this offseason.” – Mike Catalana (47:52)

9. Other Roster/Coaching Evaluations

• Concerns over Matt Milano’s role and durability mirror the post-injury narrative around Tre’Davious White.
• Special Teams Coordinator Matthew Smiley will “be back” per McDermott, but hosts are skeptical and discuss the elevated blunders in that phase all season (52:25).

Process, Mindset & Approaches

10. Team Building Philosophy: Chiefs-Focused or Not?

• Hosts ask Beane/McDermott if they build the roster specifically to beat KC; both say no—they focus on winning the division, but acknowledge the Chiefs are the obstacle.
• Quote:

  “If you don’t win the championship, if you come up short like we did and like we have, that’s what people are going to say. Can you guys win the big one? We just have to keep kicking the door down.” – Brandon Beane (42:07)

11. Adjustment & Growth from Sean McDermott

• Hosts dispel the narrative that McDermott is rigid or doesn’t adjust, citing specific changes in defensive approach this postseason.
• Quote:

  “Against the Chiefs, they played man more than they had all season long. It’s not that Sean is just sitting there going, it’s my way... he’s adapted. That’s part of what gives me confidence... this was Sean McDermott’s best season as a coach.” – Dan Fates (20:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the constant Chiefs obstacle:

  “The Chiefs are really, really good. They are. And it’s so annoying because it’s like, oh, the Bills can’t get over the hump... this is a historic team that the Bills can’t get through.” – Jenna Cottrell (00:12, repeated theme/group discussion)

• On perspective and persistence:

  “If I don’t know what else you expect to do, I mean, other than if you think we should blow the roster up or strip it down. That is not how I see this... Keep kicking the door.” – Brandon Beane (11:18)

• On the narrative burden:

  “If you don’t win the championship... that’s what people are going to say. Can you guys win the big one? We just have to keep kicking the door down.” – Brandon Beane (42:07)

• On defensive growth:

  “Sean played man more than they had all season long [against the Chiefs]. He’s adapted.” – Dan Fates (21:38)

• On Kair Elam:

  "Kair went in there and it did not go well." – Sean McDermott relayed by Dan Fates (46:39)

• On current fan sentiment:

  "It feels very discouraging, like it feels very daunting to go and win against the Chiefs... But I felt refreshed today." – Jenna Cottrell (54:42)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• General Press Conference Reactions: 01:30–05:32
• Shifting Blame: McDermott vs. Beane: 05:32–08:55
• Chiefs Hurdle and Historic Context: 10:16–17:15
• Brandon Beane Soundbite - Kicking the Door: 11:18–12:46
• Comparisons to 90s NBA, Andy Reid’s Eagles: 14:55–16:41
• Roster Construction and First-Round Picks Debate: 23:23–31:50
• Kincaid & Keon, Worthy Trade, Impactful Young Players: 28:38–39:01
• Chiefs-Focused Team Building?: 40:08–43:11
• Special Teams Discussion: 51:28–54:08
• Final Reflections & Outlook: 54:42–59:09

Tone & Takeaways

Throughout, the hosts maintain a candid, sometimes comical but passionate tone—balancing humor (“historic hump”), frustration, and nuanced optimism. They acknowledge both the undeniable accomplishments under Beane and McDermott and the acute distress of falling short, especially against a modern dynasty.

Bottom Line:
The episode underscores how close the Bills are—but not close enough. The staff and management are committed not to drastic changes but persistent refinement and growth ("keep kicking the door"). Player development, health, and more impact from high draft picks are critical. Perspective is offered to fans: heartbreak is justified, but the process and direction remain sound.

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