Buffalo Bills: Way too Soon to Worry About Sean McDermott and Doug Whaley

Despite a report suggesting the relationship between Buffalo Bills new head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Doug Whaley isn’t built to last, let’s at least give them a chance.

Here we go again. Apparently, there’s already a growing rift between Buffalo Bills‘ general manager Doug Whaley and head coach Sean McDermott.

Or at least, that’s what Jason La Canfora would have you believe. According to the CBS Sports’ reporter, the “marriage” between Whaley and McDermott likely isn’t built to last.

La Canfora writes that McDermott has growing cache with ownership. As a result, it is believed the Bills could make front office changes in the near future, which have ties to their new head coach.

Now, I have no doubt whatsoever that McDermott has made an excellent early impression on Terry and Kim Pegula. After all, this would only be a continuation from their initial meeting with the 43-year old.

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However, to suggest this means Whaley may not have long left in his job is pretty far-fetched, especially at this stage. Heck, let’s at least give the two gentlemen a chance before reading the last rites on their relationship.

If we look at this matter objectively, Whaley has a lot to lose, if this partnership doesn’t work. After ultimately failing to co-exist with Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan, a third instance of not getting along with a head coach would reflect poorly on the 44-year old.

As such, wouldn’t Whaley be on his best behavior at this point, as he looks to form a bound with McDermott? Unfortunately, such is the nature of the sports media industry, people will often look for anything that hints at a potential controversy.

The media believes the general public are naturally drawn towards negative news. This is often backed up by the mindset that one death equals 1,000 lives.

A prime example of this is a report from Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. Skursi writes that Whaley won’t be present at the Bills’ annual pre-draft luncheon on April 20, which he has always attended since taking over as GM.

Now to be fair to Skurski, he does suggest this could be because of the PR angle, after Whaley’s press conference disaster at the end of last season. However, The Buffalo News reporter than goes on to say it could also be a sign of the GM’s diminishing power within the organization, with McDermott now calling the shots.

Skurski goes on to refer to the recent releases of Nickell Robey-Coleman, Dan Carpenter, Corey Graham and Aaron Williams as examples of McDermott’s authority. These were all players who Whaley signed to contracts or extensions.

However, couldn’t you also point out all the players Whaley previously signed, who are still with the Bills? Or that maybe the reason he wont attend this year’s pre-draft luncheon, is because he himself made the decision to stay away and allow McDermott to have the stage?

Overall, I won’t go as far as to say La Confora and Skurski are definitely wrong to suggest there’s already trouble in paradise. However, it’s still hard to believe there are already signs the pairing of Whaley and McDermott isn’t working.

Next: Bills Have Excellent Chance to Re-sign Zach Brown

What’s your take on the report concerning McDermott and Whaley? Do you put any stock into it whatsoever, or is this just an attempt to stir up controversy where there is none? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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