Bill Polian decided not to pursue a job with the Buffalo Bills after being turned off from the organization based on conversations with Doug Marrone, according to a report.
Marrone opted out of his contract with the team this week following two years on the job, including an impressive 9-7 finish this season. The Bills apparently were talking with Polian, a former Indianapolis Colts and Bills executive, about heading up their front office, but he eventually declined.
Polian said he turned down the job because quarterback Kyle Orton retired and Marrone left the team.
“The bottom line is the job description changed pretty dramatically and the most important thing is that it would have required a really long commitment to a new coach, who deserved a long commitment that I wasn’t prepared to make. And that wouldn’t have been fair to the organization or to whomever their new coach was. The coach is going to want to know that you’re going to be there for a reasonably long time,” Polian said of turning down the job via The Buffalo News.
Though Polian is blaming the retirement of Orton and departure of Marrone, The Buffalo News says Polian soured on the organization after having conversations with Marrone.
“Well-placed source: Polian’s decision on Bills shifted in past day. Major factor in change of heart was talking to Marrone, who ripped org,” The Buffalo News’ Tim Graham wrote on Twitter. “Everything was lined up for Polian to return to Bills just 24 hours ago. But he is a big fan of Marrone’s and trusts his opinion.”
Graham then said he thinks Marrone’s issues with the organization have to do with a chasm between the “lifers” in the organization versus the newer, younger people who are trying to get the old guys to change their ways.
Bills players were upset about Marrone leaving the team, but now we have an idea of why he did.
