NFL Buffalo Bills

Doug Marrone Smartly Opts Out of Buffalo Bills Contract

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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the Buffalo Bills are suddenly without a head coach after Doug Marrone exercised his three-day opt-out clause, essentially making him a free agent.

Marrone has been the Bills’ head coach for the last two seasons, leading them to 6-10 and 9-7 records, including a overachieving 2014 campaign that nearly saw Buffalo make the playoffs. Differences with the front office, however, forced Marrone to take the emergency exit, which was triggered by the recent change in ownership.

Despite his impressive amount of success in 2014 and the Bills’ promising future, Marrone was rumored to have a lack of support from the front office. At one point this summer, there were even reports that him and director of player personnel Jim Monos had gotten into a screaming match. His conservative playmaking had also reportedly been called into question. Both of these factors are believed to be a big part of why Marrone threw in the towel on his tenure in Buffalo.

Now free to speak with other teams with coaching vacancies, Marrone is expected to be near the top of the New York Jets‘ wish list after they severed ties with Rex Ryan on Monday. Even if the Jets decide to go in a different direction, there’s a good chance that Marrone will receive plenty of interest from other teams looking to fill voids. Put simply, Marrone won’t be unemployed for long.

It’s a bit surprising considering the Bills’ upward trajectory, but Marrone obviously wasn’t comfortable in his current situation. With his escape now complete, he can eye a better situation elsewhere.

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