Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane made an appearance at the 2025 NFL owners meetings in Florida.
While there, Beane had his influence on those talks and chatted with the media on all-things Bills.
With that, here are six takeaways from Beane’s interview at the 2025 NFL owners meetings:
The James Cook topic
The No. 1 topic of discussion to come out of the owners meetings (as it relates to the Bills) is the James Cook chats. The two-time Pro Bowl running back wants a new contract and it hasn’t happened.
After Beane worked out extensions with multiple players this offseason including quarterback Josh Allen, what the GM said about Cook came as a surprise. Beane said talks have been tabled until after the 2025 NFL draft. Cook has also been vocal about wanting to get paid as opposed to those who have landed new deals.
“(Talks) didn’t lead to anything as far as closing in on a deal, so we moved onto the guys that we were more on the same page with,” Beane said. “At this point, we’re on to the draft, once we got (Christian) Benford done. I don’t see us doing any deals anytime soon.”
#Bills GM Brandon Beane says they had early extension talks with RB James Cook but moved on after no progress. The team has since extended other players (Shakir, Rousseau, Bernard, Benford) and is now focused on the draft, with no extensions planned for now.
(🎥 @BuffaloBills) pic.twitter.com/G5bhq0a9cW
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 30, 2025
Backing Keon
After a decent start to his NFL career, receiver Keon Coleman slowed down during his rookie year. Injuries did not help.
As we’ve seen in the past, Beane is backing one of his top draft picks once again. He continues to pump the brakes on those being critical of Coleman.
Brandon Beane: “We have all the confidence that Keon (Coleman) gets it, and want to remind everyone that he’s only 21 years old. Playing receiver is hard. I’m not sitting here today concerned about where Keon Coleman is at. He knows what’s expected of him.”
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 30, 2025
Moving around the draft?
Beane is never shy about moving around the NFL draft via trade. Usually when asked about it before the event, he’s a little coy. This time, he seemed more open about how he likes his chances of doing so in 2025
“I do like the ammo that we’re going into the draft with,” Beane said. “We’re going to try and play the board and move up and back, where we think that makes the most sense.”
Not a ‘need’?
While Coleman still needs to improve to being a clear No. 1 wideout, the Bills still lack a true top playmaker on offense. Josh Palmer, who signed during free agency, needs to do the same. Buffalo has not had that type of player since Stefon Diggs.
Even so, Beane is not putting stress on trying to find one during the draft.
Brandon Beane: “We have all the confidence that Keon (Coleman) gets it, and want to remind everyone that he’s only 21 years old. Playing receiver is hard. I’m not sitting here today concerned about where Keon Coleman is at. He knows what’s expected of him.”
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) March 30, 2025
CB2 and bringing some back
With Rasul Douglas still a free agent, the Bills defense has an opening at the cornerback spot that starts across from Christian Benford. Could the draft be a place to address that?
Beane’s thoughts:
Brandon Beane on #Bills need at CB and if this is strong CB draft: “I think there’s guys out there..athletically, I think there are some players that fit what we do.. They have to be able to tackle as well. Sometimes you see an athletic freak that turns the ball over but turns it…
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) March 30, 2025
Bring them back?
Douglas was mentioned, but there’s wide receiver Amari Cooper, too. Both are free agents still. Beane made sure to note that pair could still end up back in Buffalo… most likely after the draft if it were to happen.
Brandon Beane says the #Bills have not closed the door on bringing back CB Rasul Douglas or WR Amari Cooper #BillsMafia
— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) March 30, 2025
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: NFL owners meetings: 6 takeaways from Bills GM Brandon Beane presser