The Facts: Buffalo's search for a new general manager has come to a close. The Bills on Tuesday announced that Brandon Beane has been hired to replace Doug Whaley, who was fired along with his scouts after the draft.

Diehards Line: A close associate of Bills HC Sean McDermott, Beane received a five-year deal that runs concurrent with the pact for Buffalo's new head coach. Beane spent 19 years with the Panthers, where he served as Carolina's assistant general manager over the past two seasons. Prior to that, he operated as the team's director of football operations for eight years. In Carolina, Beane worked under one of the league's top GMs in Dave Gettleman. The understudy also had a front-row seat to watch McDermott evolve into a bright and sought-after defensive mind. ... Meanwhile,McDermott has been given considerable power to shape the Bills in his image and select his own lieutenants. There's no question McDermott and Beane believe they can make this work. The issue in Buffalo is whether team brass -- one rung up the ladder -- will exhibit the requisite patience to allow the Bills to grow and develop over the course of multiple seasons.