Head coach Gregg Williams Owner Ralph Wilson Record 3–13 | General manager Tom Donahoe Home field Ralph Wilson Stadium Division place 5th AFC East | |
The 2001 Buffalo Bills season was the team's 42nd season. Previous head coach Wade Phillips was relieved of his duties as coach and replaced by Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. They finished the season at 3-13 and last in the AFC East division for the first time since 1985.
John Butler, who had been the Bills general manager from 1993–2000, left to take the same position with the San Diego Chargers. Butler was replaced by Tom Donahoe, who would remain with the Bills through the 2005 season.
In the wake of Buffalo's quarterback controversy, Doug Flutie was released by the Bills, prior to the season and followed Butler to San Diego. Buffalo named Rob Johnson their starting quarterback for the 2001 season, which would ultimately be his last in Buffalo. Bills defensive end Marcellus Wiley and linebacker John Holecek also left Buffalo for San Diego in 2001, leaving a gap in Buffalo's defense. The special teams also saw a major overhaul. Placekicker Steve Christie was also among the defectors to San Diego, forcing the Bills to sign rookie Jake Arians (son of longtime offensive coordinator Bruce Arians) as a replacement, then after several weeks of Arians's poor play, Shayne Graham. Chris Mohr left for the Atlanta Falcons and was replaced by Brian Moorman, who would stay with the team for the next eleven seasons.
NFL draft
Buffalo's 2001 draft was general manager Tom Donahoe first with the team. The Bills' first three draft picks — Nate Clements, Aaron Schobel and Travis Henry — went on to make the Pro Bowl with the Bills.