Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills

In the high-pressure world of NFL front offices, success is often measured by championships—and any misstep can quickly spark criticism, especially for a team with Super Bowl expectations like the Buffalo Bills. This season, Bills general manager Brandon Beane has found himself in the crosshairs of fans, analysts, and even former players, as recent roster moves—including the midseason release of wide receiver Elijah Moore and controversial decisions in free agency—have raised questions about his strategy. Beane, who has led the Bills’ football operations since 2017 and built a roster that’s won four AFC East titles, now faces unprecedented scrutiny as the team struggles to maintain its elite status amid injuries and inconsistent play. For Bills Mafia, the frustration stems not just from losses, but from a sense that Beane’s recent moves have weakened a team that once seemed poised to contend for a Lombardi Trophy. Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills isn’t just about one executive’s performance—it’s about the tension between patience and results in a league where “win now” is the only mantra that matters.

Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills gains depth by focusing on the specific moves that have fueled the backlash, starting with the release of Elijah Moore. When Beane traded for Moore in 2024, he hailed the receiver as a “dynamic playmaker” who would complement Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen. But just 18 months later, Moore was cut loose after a disappointing 2025 season, with critics arguing Beane either misjudged Moore’s fit or failed to create a role for him. The move came on the heels of other controversial decisions: Beane opted not to re-sign star cornerback Tre’Davious White in free agency, instead replacing him with a cheaper veteran who has struggled to fill White’s shoes. He also spent a first-round draft pick on a defensive tackle who has yet to record a sack this season, while passing on wide receivers and offensive linemen who have since become impact players for other teams. “Beane has always been good at building depth, but lately, he’s been missing on big calls,” said a former NFL scout in a recent interview. “Cutting Moore midseason looks like a panic move, and letting White go without a proper replacement has hurt the secondary. These aren’t the moves of a GM who’s building for a Super Bowl run.”

A critical component of Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills is the fan and media reaction, which has grown increasingly vocal in recent weeks. On social media, #FireBeane hashtags have trended after losses, with fans pointing to the team’s thin depth at wide receiver and offensive line—issues they say Beane failed to address in the offseason. Local sports radio hosts have dedicated entire segments to dissecting Beane’s missteps, with one calling the Moore release “a waste of a trade asset and cap space.” Even former Bills players have weighed in: ex-offensive lineman Eric Wood criticized Beane for not investing in the offensive line, noting that “Josh Allen can’t make plays if he’s running for his life every snap.” The criticism has also extended to Beane’s handling of the salary cap: while he freed up $2 million by cutting Moore, the Bills still have one of the league’s highest payrolls, leading some to question why he couldn’t allocate funds to fix obvious roster holes. “Beane has always talked about ‘sustainable success,’ but right now, the roster looks like it’s regressing,” said a prominent Bills beat writer. “Fans are tired of excuses—they want results, and Beane’s recent moves haven’t delivered.”

Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills is particularly significant for the Buffalo Bills’ playoff hopes, which have dimmed amid the roster’s weaknesses. Entering Week 10, the Bills sit at 5-4, trailing the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East and facing a tough stretch of games against the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Critics argue Beane’s moves have left the team ill-equipped to handle adversity: without Moore, the wide receiver corps lacks speed and depth, forcing Allen to rely too heavily on Diggs and tight end Dawson Knox. The secondary, weakened by White’s departure, has struggled to stop top passing attacks, allowing 280+ yards through the air in three of the past four games. Even the Bills’ vaunted defense, once a strength, has faltered—partly due to Beane’s failure to add pass-rush help after losing a key defensive end in free agency. For the Buffalo Bills, the stakes couldn’t be higher: a playoff miss this season would mark the first time since 2018 that the team hasn’t advanced to the postseason, and Beane’s job security could depend on turning things around quickly. “This is a make-or-break stretch for Beane,” said an NFL insider. “If the Bills don’t make a deep playoff run, the organization might start looking for a new direction.”

Another vital aspect of Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills is Beane’s response to the scrutiny—and whether it’s enough to calm tensions. Unlike some NFL executives who avoid the spotlight, Beane has addressed the criticism head-on, holding a rare midseason press conference to defend his moves. He acknowledged that the Moore release was “a tough call” but argued it was necessary to free up cap space for in-season additions. He also defended his draft strategy, noting that “not every pick works out immediately” and pointing to past successes like drafting Allen and Diggs. However, his explanations have done little to sway critics, who note that Beane has made similar excuses for underperforming picks in recent years. He has also faced questions about his relationship with head coach Sean McDermott, with rumors swirling that the two disagree on roster priorities (McDermott is said to favor defensive additions, while Beane has focused on offense). For the Buffalo Bills, this internal alignment is critical—if Beane and McDermott aren’t on the same page, it could further derail the team’s season. “Beane’s press conference was a start, but actions speak louder than words,” said a fan on a Bills message board. “He needs to fix the roster, not just talk about fixing it.”

Finally, Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills raises broader questions about the role of NFL general managers and the pressure to win immediately. Beane’s tenure with the Bills has been largely successful—he transformed a struggling franchise into a perennial contender—but in the NFL, past success doesn’t protect executives from criticism when the team stumbles. The Bills’ ownership has been patient with Beane, but that patience could wear thin if the team doesn’t contend soon, especially with Allen entering the prime of his career. For other NFL GMs, Beane’s situation is a cautionary tale: building a winner is hard, but maintaining that success is even harder, and every move—whether good or bad—is magnified when expectations are high. For Bills Mafia, the hope is that Beane can learn from his mistakes and make the necessary adjustments to get the team back on track. But for now, the criticism persists, a reminder that in Buffalo, as in every NFL city, the only thing that matters is winning—and anything less will lead to questions about those in charge. Brandon Beane Faces Criticism on Moves for the Buffalo Bills wraps up with a simple truth: in the NFL, you’re only as good as your last move. And for Beane, the next few months will determine whether he’s remembered as the GM who built a Bills dynasty—or the one who let it slip away.