The Buffalo Bills saw their season end in all-too-familiar fashion in January, once again having their hearts broken by Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, and the Kansas City Chiefs.
In a game so close, any number of factors can be isolated as the reason why the Bills fell short. Cornerback Christian Benford’s early-game concussion put Kaiir Elam in a starting role, only for the Chiefs to attack him constantly in response. The refereeing was questionable, quarterback Josh Allen looked uncomfortable on the first drive of the game, and a handful of plays could have flipped the AFC Championship Game on its head.
And yet, it felt like Kansas City’s coaching staff was a step ahead. It ran plays the Chiefs hadn’t run before out of frequent formations. They had an answer for Buffalo’s red zone rushes, did enough to limit the quarterback sneaks that worked so well, and found just enough ways to get their playmakers the ball in space to come away with the win.
It’s back to the drawing board, and many fans suggested that more man coverage be first on the docket this offseason. That idea was given more credibility when head coach Sean McDermott hired former New England Patriots cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino to coach the nickel corners.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, McDermott revealed parts of the Bills’ defensive plan after their coaching hire.
“Think it’s important to have a vision for where the league is, where it’s going, and we have to be out in front of that curve,” McDermott said, via Thad Brown.
Through Week 17, only five teams played less man coverage than Buffalo (per Football Insights). New England, meanwhile, played the third-most man coverage in the NFL.
Thus, speculation began about the Bills actually instilling more man, and hiring a coach to help facilitate that transition. However, McDermott quickly put most of that hype to rest.
“I’m not being intent on playing man-to-man and that’s why we’re hiring these people … You guys are probably looking too much into that,” he added, via Alex Brasky.
There is work to be done in Western New York, but a full-scale philosophical change won’t be one of them. The zone-heavy attack largely worked in 2024, and McDermott seems happy to rely on it again, meaning occasional upticks in man when the game plan calls for it will have to be enough for the Buffalo faithful.
