The Buffalo Bills are implementing a new offense and LeSean McCoy is excited to catch more passes.

"The running backs getting the ball in the passing game," McCoy said. "That's something I've been a part of, but it's been a while since I've actually got the ball a lot in the air -- we do a lot of that. [Rick Dennison is] big on that, you look at all the successful running backs that's been in his offense, from Arian Foster who I'm a big fan of, he did it on the ground and in the air."

McCoy's best season as a pass-catcher came in 2010 with the Philadelphia Eagles when he hauled in 78 receptions.

The Buffalo Bills have hired Joe Schoen as assistant general manager.

Schoen served as director of player personnel for the Miami Dolphins from 2014-2017.

Brandon Beane will have control over the 53-man roster of the Buffalo Bills, owner Terry Pegula says.

Beane emphasized that he and head coach Sean McDermott will take a collaborative approach on personnel decisions.

"It's going to be very similar to what Sean and I were used to Carolina," Beane said. "I'm going to be over the football side. Sean's going to be over the coaches. But there's not a czar around here. Sean's not a czar. I'm not a czar. Every decision is going to be collaborative, together.

"I think that's the only way. I've seen it both ways, and the success I've had is when we're both seeing eye to eye. [Co-owner] Kim [Pegula] and Terry, me involved, we're going to do this together. Other people in the building. This is not a one-person approach."

The Buffalo Bills hired Brandon Beane as general manager Tuesday, the team announced, ending their search to replace Doug Whaley after he was fired April 30.

Beane, 40, had served as the Carolina Panthers' assistant GM since 2015. He joined the Panthers in 1998 and was named director of football operations in 2008.

The Buffalo Bills have declined their fifth-year option on Sammy Watkins.

Sean McDermott explained the decision in a team statement.

“Sammy and I have had good conversations about this decision,” McDermott said. “There is no question that Sammy is a very good football player and has worked very hard during his rehab this offseason. We look forward to seeing a healthy Sammy Watkins on the field in 2017.”

The former first-round pick will enter 2017 in the last year of his rookie contract.

Watkins is currently not cleared to participate fully in the team’s offseason conditioning program and is not expected to participate in the OTA practice sessions coming up in a couple of weeks.