We've hit the halfway point of the NFL season and even though there's plenty of games left, Buffalo is getting recognized for its performance to date. Bills general manager Brandon Beane has been named The Athletic’s top executive at the midseason point.
Beane was chosen as the top executive by several of The Athletic's national writers.
"I voted for Beane because I think the Bills lead the league in MTMS (Moves That Make Sense)," Sheil Kapadia said in explaining his support for Beane. "That doesn't mean they all work out, but they seem to have a good process."
The moves that Beane has made leading up to this season that allowed him to earn this honor and put the Bills in a position to win, according to The Athletic, include re-signing Josh Allen and Matt Milano, drafting Greg Rousseau, picking up Mitchell Trubisky and keeping players like Taron Johnson, Daryl Williams, Jon Feliciano and Levi Wallace.
• Re-signing LB Matt Milano: There was some thought the Bills might lose Milano, their best coverage linebacker, in free agency as they funneled resources toward other priorities, including exercising fifth-year options for Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. Buffalo was able to keep just about every veteran the team wanted to keep. That allowed the Bills to address existing needs, such as the pass-rush, without creating new holes on the roster.
• Keeping key role players: Re-signing Taron Johnson, Levi Wallace, Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano to reasonable deals allowed Buffalo to keep together its core. Wallace has emerged as a capable No. 2 corner behind Tre'Davious White. Keeping Wallace was a solid under-the-radar move for a team that leads the league in defensive expected points added (EPA) this season.
The article details how the moves this season and acquisitions since Beane and head coach Sean McDermott arrived have helped set up Buffalo for the opportunity they have this season.
Buffalo is now on its way to a fourth winning season in five years with Beane sitting in the GM's chair. The moves made this past offseason were a natural continuation of the ones made previously. They were indeed Moves That Made Sense — moves that have the Bills well-positioned as the most stable contender in the AFC through eight weeks.
