1. Can the Buffalo Bills rebuild post Ryan Bros. devastation?
After two third-place finishes in the AFC East, the two-year Rex Ryan era came to an abrupt ending. Not surprisingly, the team sent Rex’s brother Rob packing as well.
The Bills hired Sean McDermott as the new head coach. This makes the seventh coaching change in 17 years. It’s McDermott’s first NFL coaching job and he arrives to Buffalo having spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
One of the major tasks at hand for McDermott’s Bills will be to deal with quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Taylor’s future is in doubt considering McDermott has yet to commit to him as a member of the team in 2017. If the team moves on from Taylor, E.J. Manuel —a major first-round draft bust from 2013 — is hardly the answer. He will likely not be re-signed.
Beyond the quarterback saga, the Bills have a talented offense that unfortunately is difficult to keep healthy. Wide receiver Sammy Watkins in particular is a prime example here. The 2014 first-round draft pick has started in just 21 games over the last two seasons.
On defense, the Bills were terrible at stopping the run, allowing 133.1 yards on average per game and 21 touchdowns on the season. As a unit, Buffalo’s defense ranked 19th in the league. McDermott’s defensive coordinator background should be a plus here.
The Bills have not produced a double-digit win season since since 1999. That was the last time Buffalo made the playoffs.