Bills extend contract of GM Doug Whaley despite playoff drought

Bills owner Terry Pegula met with head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Doug Whaley toward the end of the season and let them know the organization was dissatisfied with the team’s performance in an 8-8 season in 2015.

Nevertheless, the Bills gave Whaley a contract extension on Sunday, the team announced on Sunday. The general manager had one year left on his original contract -- signed in 2013 -- but is now locked down with the team beyond the 2016 season after receiving a “multi-year extension.” Rex Ryan’s contract goes through the 2019 season, so the pair are scheduled to be stuck together for the foreseeable future.

“The only thing that I expect to do is every day come in here and try to get better,” said Whaley in a release. “I just know that every day I’ve come in here I’ve got positive feedback from the Pegulas. I love working with Rex, I love working with this whole staff. I think our personnel staff has done a very good job in acquiring players.

“I’m excited with what we bring to the table and I’ll just keep doing my job. The first thing I was taught in this business is keep your nose down, work hard, and do whatever it takes to help your team win. Everything else takes care of itself.”

Next year will be Whaley’s fourth as GM, and he’s yet to see them go to the playoffs -- the team hasn’t been to the playoffs in 16 seasons, the longest drought in the league.

Pegula’s strong statements after the season about the team not reaching expectations certainly suggest that both Whaley and Ryan could be out of jobs if the team isn’t in the postseason in 2016.

“Our expectations were not met,” Pegula said in a statement, via the Buffalo News. “I look forward to working and collaborating with Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan in forming a winning future for the organization. Our management team and coaching staff are very capable and work well together. This stable foundation is necessary to achieve long-term success in the NFL.”

Whaley started as the Assistant General Manager/Director of Pro Personnel for Buffalo in February 2010, assisting and studying under GM Buddy Nix until his retirement in 2013. He gradually earned more control over college scouting and had a big role in the team’s draft boards. It was only three days after Nix announced he was retiring, that Whaley was named his successor.

Before his time with the Bills, Whaley was with the Steelers for 11 years as the Pro Personnel Coordinator, earning a reputation as a successful defensive scout.