INDIANAPOLIS — No team has been hurt more recently by the NFL’s antiquated playoff format than the Buffalo Bills. No surprise, then, that the Bills are among the teams proposing changes to the rules that essentially cost them a shot at the Super Bowl. Bills coach Sean McDermott told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the organization “has some ideas” to fix what’s clearly a broken system.
Sean McDermott on NFL’s overtime rules and Buffalo Bills’ proposed changes
The Bills’ excellent season ended with a Divisional Round loss to the Chiefs in which Kansas City won the toss, marched down the field against a gassed Buffalo defense, and scored a game-ending touchdown on the first possession. Josh Allen, the Bills’ quarterback and best player, didn’t even get to touch the ball.
“I think experiencing what we experienced, I think there’s a better way,” McDermott said. “You want to evolve the game.”
McDermott declined to say what exactly the Bills have in mind, but presumably we will find out soon enough. The annual league meeting is later this month, and potential overtime rule changes will be on ownerships’ agenda. Based on McDermott’s comments, it’s fair to expect the Bills to be among the teams to propose changes to the system.
“We’ve got some ideas that will move the game forward,” McDermott said. “We’ll see where that goes.”
McDermott acknowledged Tuesday that he still hasn’t fully accepted that loss to Kansas City.
More news and notes from McDermott’s news conference
The Bills were forced to make significant changes to their coaching staff after the Giants hired Brian Daboll as their head coach. Most notably: Ken Dorsey has been promoted to offensive coordinator, Joe Brady has been added as quarterbacks coach, and Aaron Kromer has been brought aboard as the offensive line coach.
The decision to promote Dorsey was made in concert with Allen, who flourished under Daboll.
“More than anything. I wanted Josh to be comfortable,” Daboll said. “Having Josh’s approval was big.”
Allen will also likely have a new backup in 2022. Daboll acknowledged that the Bills probably will not be able to keep Mitchell Trubisky, who should have starting opportunities in 2022.
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