8 takeaways from Bills' Brandon Beane at the 2025 NFL combine

USA Today

01-03-2025

8 takeaways from Bills' Brandon Beane at the 2025 NFL combine
The Buffalo Bills and rest of the NFL took in the 2025 combine this week from Indianapolis. Included in the bunch was head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane.
As is annually the case, McDermott and Beane were part of the Buffalo brass that got a chance to speak with prospects ahead of the upcoming draft in April. The duo also did plenty of chatting with the media.
With that, here are eight takeaways from Beane's press conference at the combine:
'Overrated Allen'
The Bills quote of the day from the combine came from Beane as he discussed quarterback Josh Allen winning the 2024 NFL MVP Award. Upon reflecting on Allen's honor, Beane made reference to the "overrated" tag that Allen received prior to the start of last season.
"We go from a guy that is 'overrated' to a guy that won MVP," Beane said.
Extending Khalil
Prior to Beane speaking at the combine the Bills announced a four-year extension signed by wide receiver Khalil Shakir. Beane explained it from the team's perspective.
"He's a true lunch pail Buffalonian," Beane said.
Von Miller's future
"A lot of respect for what he did to come back and help us case a trophy," Beane said. "But we're still working through that."
The Bills could move on from Miller this offseason as the pass rusher has an out in his contract. At 35, it remains to be seen if Miller returns to Buffalo.
Safety talk
Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin have two different outlooks from the safety position on the Bills defense. Bishop sounds like he's going to have a chance at having a big role in 2025. Meanwhile, Hamlin is a pending free agent but his future is still up in the air.
"Of course we'd love to have a Damar Hamlin back," Beane said. "If we can get him back, great. If we can't, I want to hug him."
Over to cornerback
Beane had two interesting comments relating to the cornerback position.
The Bills defense might lose Rasul Douglas. He is a pending free agent. Beane provided little update on Douglas, only saying "we'll see."
If there a hole, Beane discussed the type of cornerback Buffalo would be looking for. While doing so, he also made mention of former first-round pick Kaiir Elam... who might get another look at playing time.
Open to moving at the draft
Beane has not been shy at the NFL draft over the years as he has moved up and down the board. That could happen again and Beane wasn't shy about it.
Latest notes on Keon
At the end of the 2024 season, both Beane and McDermott were a bit hard on him. In Year 2, they want more.
At the combine, Beane pumped those brakes a bit. The GM admitted Coleman is still young.
"Let's give him a chance," Beane said.
James Cook's future
James Cook has been pretty vocal about wanting an extension and wanting to get paid a nice chunk of change.
Beane called Cook "a beautiful man" but was candid in saying he hopes to keep things just between the player and team... as opposed to Cook going on the record and saying how much money he wants to be paid.