Bills Reportedly Had Headset Issues Due to Dead Batteries vs. Jaguars

In the midst of their 34-31 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Buffalo Bills coaches had trouble communicating plays to quarterback EJ Manuel in the huddle because of dead batteries in their headsets.

According to a report from Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, the Bills' communication system failed during the game because they "weren't using fully charged batteries." Per Florio, teams are responsible for making sure their batteries are charged.

Florio noted the Bills eventually replaced the batteries and were able to finish the game without problems.

However, on Monday, Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News reported the NFL "was beta testing a wireless pack for coach-to-QB communication system," and the issue was not a result of low batteries. 

Per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak, head coach Rex Ryan was vocal about the headset issues after his team's loss.

"I don't get it," Ryan said. "I don't understand it. But this one was absolutely miserable. Just a frustrating time, obviously, in those circumstances."

There had already been problems with NFL headsets in 2015, most notably during the regular-season opener between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters after the game, per Will Brinson of CBS Sports, that "it's always the case" when it comes to communication problems at Gillette Stadium. 

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick noted his team switched headphones "a couple times" because of problems, per Brinson. The NFL cleared New England of any wrongdoing in the case, blaming it on the weather and electrical issues.

The Bills' case is something that would come out of a badly written sitcom. Ryan can be frustrated that his team is 3-4 after Sunday's defeat and the vaunted defense has allowed 34 points in back-to-back games, but the communication issues are on him and his staff.