‘Don’t want to have to suck bad enough to have to get Ja’Marr Chase’

Two days after an emphatic early playoff exit at the hands of the the Cincinnati Bengals, the wound is still fresh in Buffalo.

Just ask Brandon Beane.

The Bills general manager spoke with reporters on Sunday in his end-of-season news conference on the heels of Buffalo’s 27-10 loss. He was asked if Buffalo should “adapt to” Cincinnati’s roster construction plan that allowed them to build a strong receiving corps. He response included a not-so-subtle shot at the franchise that just beat his:

“They have a good team,” Beane said. “They right now are on the advantage of a rookie quarterback contract. They had some lean years, without having to get too much into their build.

“I don’t want to suck bad enough to have to get Ja’Marr Chase. He’s a heck of a talent. I would love to have him. But you gotta go through some lean years to do that.”

Beane’s point is clear even if he expressed it with a heavy dash of salt. The Bengals have built their roster with the distinct advantage of playing Joe Burrow on his rookie contract that’s paying him $36.1 million over four years before they inevitably exercise a fifth-year option for 2024 or sign him to an extension that will spike his salary.

Hitting on a rookie quarterback who excels early in his career is the ultimate NFL fast-track. Having a Pro Bowl level quarterback on a discount in a salary-capped league allows spending elsewhere and opens up a prime window for success. The Seattle Seahawks won a Super Bowl with Russell Wilson on his rookie contract while using cap space to construct a historically great defense. The Kansas City Chiefs likewise won a Super Bowl with Patrick Mahomes on his rookie contract before signing him to a 10-year, $450 million deal.

Sep 19, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane enters the field before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills were in a similar position with Allen before he played on a…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2023-01-24 23:45:37

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