The Super Bowl window may be starting to narrow for the Buffalo Bills after a few near misses, but they have put their faith in their key decision-makers by handing out a pair of new five-year contracts.
Head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have been rewarded with new deals that run until after the 2027 NFL season.
The Bills have missed the playoffs just once in their six seasons together running the show at Orchard Park, but they know the pressure is on to go a step further after getting past the Wildcard round in the past three seasons, only to fall short of reaching the Super Bowl.
The Bills lost in all four of their Super Bowl appearances in successive seasons from 1990-93, but owner Terry Pegula believes McDermott is the right man to end the team's wait to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
"Sean is a proud, Christian, determined man," Pegula said. "I remember before his interview for the Bills head coaching job thinking about him being a two-time National Prep Wrestling Champ.
"I thought to myself, you wrestled, you're determined, you love what you're doing, and you won. He comes to the Bills every day and will never ask anyone, player or coach, to do anything he wouldn't do."
The Bills have established themselves as the class of the AFC East in recent seasons, but McDermott knows they need to make a leap forward if they are to overthrow the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals and compete for a title.
Quarterback Josh Allen's game has improved immensely throughout his time working under McDermott's regime, but the 27-year-old needs to develop a greater level of consistency if he can rival Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow and lead the Bills to glory.
He also needs help around him on the roster and that is where Beane comes in. Pegula believes the 46-year-old has all the qualities required to build a winning team and organisation.
"Brandon is a very competitive person," Pegula added. "I know he likes to win, but I also know he hates to lose.
"He's not afraid to say what he's thinking and if he disagrees with something he will say so, even to the owner. I love it. He, Sean, Kim (Pegula, Terry's wife) and I have a very good relationship with open discussions, debate and a lot of communication."
The Bills are once again favourites to finish atop the AFC East despite the efforts of the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots to strengthen over the off-season, although the Jets hope the acquisition of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers alters the balance of power in the division.
