Bills general manager opens up about trade deadline pressure from Chiefs

Brandon Beane spoke with former NFL lineman Ross Tucker on his popular podcast about the NFL's trade deadline and the Chiefs.

In an alternate universe, Brandon Beane should have a ring by now.

The NFL is historically averse to dynasties. Parity is the name of the game in a sport centered on a salary cap and a draft reward system for the least talented teams. The New England Patriots of the early aughts were supposed to be the anomaly, and the retirement of Tom Brady should have ushered in another prolonged era of exciting rivalries and hope for all teams.

Then the Kansas City Chiefs got in the way.

Beane, who is the general manager of the Buffalo Bills, has done a wonderful job in his capacity leading the Bills' front office. Buffalo is a tough market when it comes to convincing free agents to sigin, but Beane has put together an annual contender year after year in a loaded AFC. The problem is that the Chiefs are always one-step ahead (or more) and have owned the conference since 2018. They're also ahead once again in 2024.

So how does a GM who is consistently chasing the Chiefs go about his job at the NFL deadline? Former NFL lineman Ross Tucker recently welcomed Beane to his popular podcast—aptly titled the Ross Tucker Football Podcast—to talk about the state of the Bills roster, this year's deadline, trading for Amari Cooper, and watching the Chiefs' aggression at this year's deadline.

"Listen, you’re competitive," said Beane when asked about K.C.'s moves. "You never want another team, somebody in your division or an AFC rival, whatever it is, you never want those guys to get better. We’re wired competitively, but ultimately, we always have to do what’s best for our team—whether we make a trade with another club or whatever it is."

Beane acknowledged the emotions around the team's trade on the first day of the 2024 NFL Draft with the Chiefs. At the time, the Bills allowed the Chiefs to move up for WR Xavier Worthy while they eventually grabbed Keon Coleman—and some Buffalo fans were livid.

"People got mad at us at the draft for trading with the Chiefs or whatever. Ultimately they made a move that they thought fit their team and we made a move… that’s what’s funny. There can be good moves for both teams. It doesn’t have to be a win or lose. Everybody’s trying to validate “who got the best trade?” And sometimes that does happen, but there’s other times when both teams can succeed after a move."

Right now, some NFL analysts would have the Bills down as a more dangerous team in 2024 given the way they've rolled over several opponents, but it's the Chiefs who are 7-0. Beane isn't fooled and knows there's a long road ahead to try and top them.

"The Chiefs, they’re a great organization. They’ve won a lot of great games. And you’re right, they’ve been battle-tested and this season is no different. They haven’t blown a lot of people out but they know how to win and there’s something to that. A lot of credit to Veach and coach Reid and how they do things," said Beane.

You can watch or listen to the full episode below: