Buffalo Bills Extend Doug Whaley; Imply Transition Plan

Apparently players aren't the only folks working on new deals at the 2013 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. The Buffalo Bills tonight announced the signing of Assistant GM Doug Whaley to a contract extension. This extension also sounds an awful lot like an anointing of Whaley as heir apparent for the GM job currently held by Buddy Nix.

"I am happy that we have secured Doug's services into the future and look forward to a smooth transition of the position when the time comes," said Nix in the team's official press release.

It has been assumed that the Bills were grooming Whaley to replace Nix, with reports surfacing this January that the move was already imminent, but Nix's comments seem to seal the deal. President/CEO Russ Brandon has said Whaley "isn't going anywhere," and this extension seems to ensure that.

"We are very pleased with the structure of our football operation and look forward to working with Buddy, Doug and the entire staff for many years to come," said Brandon this evening. "As we have stated previously, there is no timetable for the transition. Our focus continues to be on building the foundation for a winning program."

Whaley has been with the Bills since 2010, when he was named assistant general and placed in charge of pro personnel, a title that focuses on current NFL players and free agents. Prior to that, he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers as pro personnel director. A year ago, he began to receive more oversight of the college scouting department.