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When Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott took the podium to face the music after two straight losses, he was asked about some of offensive coordinator Joe Brady’s playcalling and personnel decisions.
Running back James Cook’s role and use in the Bills’ Monday Night Football 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons this week was among the topics discussed during the postgame press conference, but also internally among the coaching staff.
Cook had 17 carries for 87 yards, but only played 30 of the team’s 57 offensive snaps (52.6%), which was his second-lowest snap percentage of the season, as his lowest was in Buffalo’s win over the Jets.
On Tuesday, McDermott said that Cook’s usage is something he’s spoken with Brady about.
“Joe and I have already talked about that to some extent today. It’s important to keep in mind going forward,” McDermott said.
Cook did not play on the team’s third-down snaps, including a failed third-and-one with an end-around attempt to wide receiver Elijah Moore. McDermott said he’s confident in Brady’s work calling plays, but that “whatever play we call, we have to execute it at a higher level.”
His noting that is important, as Cook’s role is important to their offensive success, but also can’t be their only threat, as his usage is not the offense’s biggest problem.
2024 receivers Mack Hollins and Amari Cooper exited in free agency, and the team brought in new talent and depth at the position through free agency this offseason. They took a flyer on former second-round pick Elijah Moore and inked Joshua Palmer to a 3-year deal. The team has also been looking to second-year man Keon Coleman to take the next step in his development at the pro level.
However, the team has the same issue as last year: receivers aren’t getting separation or making plays downfield. Allen has the biggest arm in football, and no reliable open target downfield to throw the ball to.
“I could feel what you’re saying. It was too hard. It was too hard tonight for our quarterback, and it doesn’t need to be that hard all the time,” McDermott replied when asked about the performance of the Bills’ receivers against the Falcons.
He also commented on the failed 3rd down jet sweep attempt.
“Joe is a great OC and play-caller, but you go through a game and there are always plays you want back. He knows how I feel about it, we talked about that again this morning. I remain confident in him putting us in good position.”
Buffalo has a top NFL QB and RB, but not a top WR. And while they may address the position need more in next year’s NFL Draft, the answer at receiver does not appear to currently be on the roster.
Coaches have been looking to get the best out of the players on the roster, and maximizing Coleman along with the return of Gabe Davis could help, but Beane making calls to teams about acquiring a difference-maker in the passing game via trade earlier this year instead of waiting for the pre-deadline deal that brought Cooper to Buffalo last year, might be the move that unlocks this year’s offense to go on a run.
Getting Cook and running backs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson more involved in the passing game, like they were last year, can help supplement the passing game as well. Cook only had one passing target in the two losses.
The team has a chance to right the ship, like they have in the past. In 2020, they dropped back-to-back losses in Weeks 5 and 6 to the Titans and Chiefs, before going on to a 13-3 record.
Brady did comment on the situation Buffalo finds itself in and what it will take to get back on track.
“We were 3-2 last year, so there’s no panic. But there’s got to be a level of urgency.”
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