PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula stopped short Wednesday of saying he wants his team to snap its 17-year playoff drought this season, but he made it clear he is looking for his team to be respected.

"My expectation is that we earn some respect on the field," Pegula said in his first gathering with reporters since the NFL owners meetings in March. "I believe that that's important. Then wherever it falls, it falls. I really believe that."

Unlike former coach Rex Ryan, who promised fans a postseason berth when he was introduced as Bills coach in 2015, first-year coach Sean McDermott has not made any such declarations since being hired in January. Instead, McDermott has preached the process of becoming a contender.

"When you talk to Sean, he's such a diligent planner, he's so thorough, that he commands them," Pegula said. "He's got a plan. Part of his plan is bringing in players who think the way he thinks. That's a good way to start."

The Bills finished 7-9 last season and have not won more than nine games since 1999, when they finished 11-5 and made their most recent playoff appearance.

Pegula does not believe the Bills have been disrespected by other teams. Without much success over the past two decades, he feels respect has to be earned.

"That's part of any winner," he said. "People respect organizations and teams that win. That's where we have to get. We have to earn the respect of the rest of the league."

"When teams come into Buffalo to play, they need to be talking about it on the way up -- that those guys are good in Buffalo [and] we need to get out of here."