What did Bills GM Brandon Beane say about the Bengals following his team’s AFC Divisional Round loss?
The Bills coachGM was clearly trying to take some shine off of the Bengals’ recent defeat of his team, but on the other hand he did raise a valid point about how cap space can affect teams in the league.
Following their recent loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, it’s clear that the Bills who were highly favored before the contest, did not take it well. Indeed, their manager’s comments do give the impression that it left a very bitter taste in their mouths.
The Bills simply weren’t good enough
Before a ball was kicked on Sunday, most expected the Buffalo Bills to win their AFC Divisional Round game against the Cincinnati Bengals. This after all was a team, that was not only one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, but a team playing with extra motivation following the terrible events that unfolded around safety, Damar Hamlin. Yet, from start to finish, the Bills just couldn’t keep up with the Bengals. In fact, it would be fair to say that the 27-10 score line at the end of the game actually flattered Buffalo’s attempt to contain the Bengals. With that said, it’s now clear that the Bengals - on their way to a second consecutive AFC Championship Game - can play among the big boys.
In terms of how it all went down, there were of course your usual suspects such as quarterback Joe Burrow, but specific mention must be made of wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase. Not only was Chase instrumental in the win, but he also managed to be the subject of comments from Bills general manager, Brandon Beane, who seemed to level a somewhat veiled critique of the Bengals and the success that they are currently enjoying. Keep in mind, Cincinnati played in the Super Bowl last year and are now one win away from making yet another appearance in the big game.
What did Brandon Beane say about the Bengals?
It was during his season-ending press conference, when the Bills GM appeared to go after the Bengals and their recent triumphs - Cincinnati is now on a 10-game winning streak. In particular, Beane cited the youth of the team and the Bengals’ ability to pay them lower salaries as a contributing factor to their recent progress. The executive then went on to illustrate the differences in that area between to the two franchises.
“Those guys are on their rookie deals. We’re paying Stefon Diggs a pretty hefty number. We’re paying Josh Allen a pretty hefty number. So, there [are] the constraints of the cap, but they have a really good team,” Beane said. “They’ve got some good young players. We’re gonna try to get as many good players as we can through the draft and through free agency. But, again, our cap situation is a little different.” It was at this point, that Beane appeared to imply that the Bengals were so bad, that they were able to acquire great players, something he wouldn’t want to rely on. “They have a good team. They, right now, are on the advantage of a rookie quarterback contract. They had some lean years and, without getting too much into their build, I don’t want to suck bad enough to have to get Ja’Marr Chase,” Beane said. “He’s a heck of a talent, I’d love to have him. But you’ve got to go through some lean years to do that.”
Ja’Marr Chase is the real deal
To be fair to Beane, it would be hard not to feel sore after watching a talent like Chase destroy your team. Selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the former LSU star has been nothing short of unreal this season.
With 87 receptions for 1,046 yards, an average of 12 yards per catch, and nine touchdowns, Chase continues to remind us why he was voted NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021, not to mention two Pro Bowl selections. In the end, though Beane’s comments were indeed cheeky, the man’s got a point, Ja’Marr Chase is “a heck of a talent.”