Butler Is New General Manager as Bills Announce More Changes

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills, losers in the Super Bowl for three consecutive seasons, continued their front office shake-up Friday by promoting John Butler to general manager.

Butler, the team’s director of player personnel since 1989, was named to succeed Bill Polian by owner Ralph Wilson Jr. Polian was fired by Wilson on Thursday.

Wilson said Jerry Foran, director of marketing and sales for the team, has been promoted to executive vice president for administration.

The owner told Butler and Foran of their promotions after two days of meetings at Wilson’s winter home in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Butler, also given the title of executive vice president, has not been involved with contract negotiations with players since arriving in Buffalo. Negotiating was among Polian’s primary responsibilities.

Butler, 46, had been the team’s director of college scouting for two years before taking over as player personnel director. He had previously worked for the San Diego Chargers and for the Chicago Blitz of the defunct United States Football League.