Buffalo Bills: How Much Leeway Does Doug Whaley Have?

With speculation about a toxic environment throughout the entire Buffalo Bills organisation, how much blame should Doug Whaley get for the current situation?

It would be somewhat of an understatement to say the Buffalo Bills organization is going through a tough time right now. In fact, it would be the equivalent of proclaiming 2016 a rough year for celebrities.

Certainly, things are a mess in Western New York. In this respect, a recent tweet by Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News made for particularly disturbing reading.

Carrucci wrote: “Told a “toxic” environment has existed “from top to bottom” of the Bills organization. How much Ryan’s firing changes things is uncertain.”

Now it is possible that using the word toxic may be embellishing the situation. However, it doesn’t change the fact the Bills have a lot to fix, in order to end the longest current playoff drought in North American professional sports.

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Part of the solution came with the aforementioned firing of Rex Ryan. However, it’s going to take more than this to turn things around.

In that respect, a lot of media analysts and fans alike are wondering what the situation is, regarding Doug Whaley? After overseeing a fourth consecutive season without qualifying for the playoffs, surely the general manager must be in the hot seat, right?

Undoubtedly, this is how a lot of people feel, especially when you consider Whaley is responsible for putting the roster together. And yet, Terry and Kim Pegula continue to have faith in him, at least if recent news is anything to go by.

As first announced on the Bills’ Twitter account on Tuesday, Whaley will officially lead the search for the next head coach. (You could almost envision a packed New Era Field throwing their hands up in the air with exasperation.)

Not helping this situation is the belief that having the 44-year old in charge of the search, will compromise how many candidates are prepared to accept the role. The main reason being that he will maintain control of assembling the Bills’ roster.

As such, it’s easy to see someone such as Tom Coughlin not agreeing to such a stipulation. Regardless of your opinion of him, Coughlin has two Super Bowl rings to show off, to support his argument for final say on any roster moves.

Sep 25, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills owners Kim Pegula and Terry Pegula and general manager Doug Whaley (right) on the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

This has led to predictions that the newly-appointed interim head coach Anthony Lynn could eventually be given the position on a permanent basis. Lynn would likely be more than agreeable to Whaley’s demands, if it gives him a shot to coach the Bills beyond this weekend’s game against the New York Jets.

Throughout all this, you have to wonder what it will take for Whaley to be under the cosh? Heck, he even signed a multi-year extension less than a year ago!

However, for anyone who would like to see the Pittsburgh native leave the Bills, they should actually perceive his being in charge of the head coach search as a positive. Whoever the new guy is, if they fail, he will likely get the blame.

On the flip side, if the new coach succeeds in ending the 17-year playoff drought, fewer people will care about the presence of Whaley. Essentially — for better or worse — his date with destiny is coming.

Next: Tyrod Taylor deserves more time to prove himself

What’s your take on Whaley? Are you happy with the job he’s done in Buffalo? Or are you nervous about him still being around and leading the search for a new head coach? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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