Bills fi re GM after four seasons

The Buffalo Bills fired general manager Doug Whaley and his scouting staff one day after the end of the NFL draft, a move that further solidifies rookie coach Sean McDermott's control over the team.

Team owner Terry Pegula said Sunday he and his wife, Kim, reached the decision after a lengthy review of the team. Whaley's dismissal completes what has become yet another front-office housecleaning that began when coach Rex Ryan was fired in the final week of last season.

"This was my decision. It was not an easy decision but I believe it's the right one for the future of the Buffalo Bills. Our search for a new general manager will begin immediately," Pegula said in a statement. "He is a good person and we want to thank him for his work and commitment to our football team."

Whaley's future was also uncertain when Ryan was fired, though he received the full backing of Pegula at the time. The owner's change of heart coincides with the authority McDermott has amassed in the three months since being hired.

The 42-year-old detail-oriented defensive specialist has become the voice of the franchise in discussing all team-related topics, including free agency and the draft.

"We have certain aspects we need to get a little better in," Pegula said. "(Whaley's) a smart man, but we made the decision. And the reasons remain private to us."

The shake-up leaves the Bills seeking their seventh GM during what's been a 17-year playoff drought the longest active streak in North America's four major professional sports.

One possible candidate is Carolina Panthers assistant GM Brandon Beane because of his ties to McDermott, who spent the previous six seasons as the team's defensive coordinator.

Whaley had three seasons left on his contract after signing a four-year extension in January 2016. After Whaley worked up the scouting ranks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bills hired him as an assistant general manager in 2010. He took over the job in May 2013 when Buddy Nix stepped down.

Undrafted Buckeyes

Former Ohio State receiver Corey Smith signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith, a transfer from East Mississippi Community College, caught 31 passes for 351 yards in three seasons at OSU.

Linebacker Craig Fada, a Watterson graduate who walked on and became a special teams standout at Ohio State, has been invited to rookie minicamp by the Houston Texans.