Bills owner Terry Pegula was staunch in his affirmation that the tandem of Doug Whaley and Rex Ryan wasn't going anywhere, despite another disappointing season. He backed those words up with a new contract for the general manager, though terms of the deal were not disclosed.
We have agreed to a contract extension with Doug Whaley! pic.twitter.com/kJUv7VGM7Q
— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) January 10, 2016MORE: Keys to winning Super Bowl 50 | Marvin Lewis' job safe despite playoff collapse
We have agreed to a contract extension with Doug Whaley! pic.twitter.com/kJUv7VGM7Q
— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) January 10, 2016Whaley, 43, has presided over the Bills as general manager since 2013. He was entering the final year of his contract, according to The Buffalo News. The paper reported last week that Pegula had issued a one-season ultimatum for Whaley and Ryan to reverse the Bills' fortunes or be fired.
Ryan was hired by Whaley last offseason and signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract amid fanfare and the expectation the franchise would end its 15-year playoff drought. But the talent-lade Bills finished 8-8 and missed the postseason due to a slew of injuries and a defense that uncharacteristically underperformed under Ryan.
Buffalo was eliminated from playoff contention following a Week 15 loss to the Redskins. The next week, after beating the Cowboys, Pegula issued a statement saying Whaley and Ryan would both return despite the outcome.
Whaley has been with the Pegulas and Bills president Russ Brandon in Florida this week for end-of-season meetings, where the deal was signed.
We had great end of year meetings with Russ, Rex and Doug and are already working on next season. #LetsGoBills
— Kim Pegula (@KimPegula) January 10, 2016