Ryan O'Halloran: Bills' Brandon Beane believes top lieutenants ready to become general managers

Success in the NFL and every professional sport often leads to other teams submitting interview requests with assistant coaches and front-office members.

For the Buffalo Bills, who are 12-3 entering Sundays game against the New York Jets, a fifth consecutive AFC East title could lead to head-coaching opportunities for offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

In the front office, general manager Brandon Beane believes two of his top lieutenants assistant general manager Brian Gaine and director of player personnel Terrance Gray deserve interest.

You would always love to keep everyone, but youre always happy when opportunities are presented, Beane said.

The New York Jets are the only team with a general manager opening and they have started the interview process.

Other potential openings could be in Jacksonville, Tennessee and the New York Giants (currently run by ex-Bills executive Joe Schoen).

Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray, right, with general manager Brandon Beane, has been with the club since 2017.

Gray joined the Bills in 2017 and his most recent promotion was to director of player personnel in 2022.

Hes done a great job, Beane said.

Weve been fortunate to have him here through the whole process and the whole build and hes worked his way up.

Hes seen a lot and experienced a lot.

The last two springs, Ive met with Gray for nearly an hour apiece for a story on the Bills draft process and hes definitely ready to handle the media questions that would come with a GM role.

Last January, Gray interviewed for the general manager openings with Las Vegas and the Los Angeles Chargers.

After youve done the (interview circuit), you know what to expect, Beane said.

I think that makes you more relaxed and more confident for the upcoming ones he could potentially get.

Bills assistant general manager Brian Gaine is in his second stint with the club, sandwiching his time with the Houston Texans as general manager.

Gaine worked as Beanes vice president of player personnel in 2017 before joining the Houston Texans as general manager.

The Texans went 11-5, but Gaine was fired on June 7, 2018.

The Texans denied that Gaines dismissal was connected to a discrimination complaint filed against the team by a fired security coordinator, Jeff Pope, who claimed he was targeted for dismissal because he was Black.

Colleagues voiced their support for Gaine.

The Houston Chronicle reported Pope was fired for job performance issues, including falsifying payroll and overtime records.

The case did not progress.

Gaine rejoined the Bills in 2019.

If Gaine interviews for an opening, Beane said he is sure Gaine would be asked about the circumstances of his Houston departure.

I would, Beane said.

That whole program unraveled pretty fast.

I know his version.

He wasnt there long enough to lay a true foundation of what it would look like and you hate that for him because these are dream jobs.

Beane said of Gaines current role with the Bills: Hes right there as my second-in-command.

His background is heavy in personnel, so he does a lot of over-the-top work with our pro and college (scouting) and hes an adviser to our scouts in that respect.

For some reason, NFL general managers dont regularly get second chances.

The only two-time GMs currently employed are Trent Baalke in Jacksonville (previously with San Francisco) and Tom Telesco in Las Vegas (previously with the Chargers).

If Brian gets another opportunity, Im sure he would do a great job, Beane said.

Gray deserves a first shot at being a GM and Gaine has earned a second chance.

Quick kicks 1.

Morrows return.

Linebacker Nicholas Morrow was walking out of the Bills facility on Dec.

7 when he was released to make room for rookie defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (returning from wrist surgery).

A little unexpected, said Morrow, 32, who appeared in 11 games, playing 44 defensive snaps and 182 special teams snaps.

Morrow divided the next two-plus weeks between Buffalo and his home in Arizona and was offered a spot on the Tennessee Titans 53-man roster.

Earlier this week, the Bills called when Morrow was getting ready to fly to Green Bay and sign with the Packers practice squad.

He re-signed with the Bills on Monday when linebacker Baylon Spector (calf) was placed on injured reserve.

Was it a pretty easy decision to return to the Bills? DaQuan Jones signed a two-year contract extension with the Bills in the offseason thats worth up to $16 million.

The 33-year-old is in his 11th NFL season, and each day at practice, he is still is there at least 20 minutes early to work on the fundamentals of his position.

No, not really, Morrow said.

I had to weigh my options.

Its never easy to decide.

It was one of those things, I was here so long since OTAs and training camp, so the learning is a lot easier because I had a foundation here.

2.

Kincaids adjustment.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid has eight catches for 68 yards (54 snaps) in his two games since returning from a left knee injury that cost him three games.

Kincaid is wearing a knee brace for the first time in his football career.

I dont love it, he said.

It will be something I probably have to wear the rest of the season, so Ill have to get used to it.

Kincaid called the brace a clunky thing.

Once the adrenaline kicks in, you kind of forget about it, but you definitely feel it.

3.

Helping run defense.

The Bills rank 14th against the run (118.3) and 24th in yards allowed per carry (4.62), and have allowed 39 explosive rushes (gain of at least 12 yards).

So what is the answer to shoring up that part of their game entering the playoffs and the looming second-round matchup against Baltimore? I floated the idea of changing to a 3-3-5 alignment (three linemen/three linebackers/five defensive backs) since the Bills are loathe to take nickel back Taron Johnson off the field.

But poking around revealed that would be way too massive of a shift even if used situationally without working on it in the offseason.

OK, fair enough.

But how about moving a safety closer to the line of scrimmage to serve in run support? To me, the players who could serve a physical tone are rookie Cole Bishop and veteran practice squad player Kareem Jackson.

The Bills would have to trust cornerbacks Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford on the perimeter to play man coverage, but they have earned the right to be counted on.

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