Bills general manager Brandon Beane on the Chiefs: ‘They know how to win’

When the Bills cut five players to create salary-cap space in March and later traded star receiver Stefon Diggs, some thought Buffalo would take a step back in the 2024 season.

But as the NFL heads into Week 9, the Bills are leading the AFC East division and on solid footing in the playoff race.

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane joined The Ross Tucker Football Podcast on Wednesday and was asked about the Chiefs and the success they’ve had. Did Beane feel any pressure when the Chiefs traded for receiver DeAndre Hopkins and linebacker Joshua Uche?

“Listen, you’re competitive,” Beane said. “You never want another team, somebody in your division, 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 and that’s whether we make a trade with another club or whatever it is.”

Beane then talked about the draft-day trade the Bills made with the Chiefs, who moved up and took wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

Bills fans were furious and thought Beane shouldn’t even be talking with Chiefs general manager Brett Veach. The Bills ended up drafting receiver Keon Coleman, who has 21 receptions this season.

“People got mad at us at the draft for trading with the Chiefs or whatever,” Beane said. “Ultimately they made a move that they thought fit their team and we made a move. And that’s what was funny. There can be good moves for both teams. It doesn’t have to be a winner or loser. Everybody’s trying to validate well ‘who got the best trade?’ And sometimes that does happen, but there’s other times when both teams can succeed after a move. Each team had a different meter, a different wish for their team in that situation.”

Tucker had mentioned the Chiefs’ ability to prevail in one-score playoff games. They’ve won six in the past two postseasons combined, including a 27-24 victory at Buffalo in January’s AFC Divisional playoff game.

Beane was complimentary of the Chiefs.

“Ultimately, the Chiefs, they’re a great organization,” Beane said. “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. And a lot of credit to Veach and coach (Andy) Reid and how they do things.”

Here is the conversation.