Getty Sean McDermott watches from the sidelines during a Buffalo Bills game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Buffalo Bills have a number of needs at the upcoming trade deadline, and now have a bit of financial breathing room should they choose to make any moves.
ESPN’s Field Yates reported on October 24 that the Bills restructured the contract of left tackle Dion Dawkins to create $3.9 million in cap space for the remainder of the year. The Bills had been tight against the salary cap, but the move would now allow them to fill holes at the October 31 trade deadline.
The Bills suffered a number of injuries on defense, losing All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White to a torn Achilles, linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones to a torn pectoral. They have a number of other short-term injuries as well, which contributed to struggles in recent games.
Bills Expected to Be Active in Trade Market
The contract restructure for Dawkins sparked rumors that the Bills could be ready to make a move, either adding firepower on offense or filling some of the holes left by key injuries on defense.
As NewYorkUpstate.com’s Ryan Talbot noted, the Bills could now be in the market for some big moves including a run at Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
“That money could go toward a receiver like DeAndre Hopkins (owed around $1.25 million for the remainder of the season) or help on the defensive side of the ball as the team has struggled without DaQuan Jones, Matt Milano and Tre’Davious White,” Talbot wrote.
Help is on the way? #Bills restructure Dion Dawkins’ contract, create almost $4 million in 2023 cap space ahead of trade deadline.
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The Titans are expected to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline and already moved All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio pegged the Bills as contenders for another star player on the Titans, running back Derrick Henry.
“There was noise early in the offseason that the Titans were shopping running back Derrick Henry, who is in the last year of his current contract,” Florio wrote. “If the Titans recognize that they’re simply not built to contend in 2023 and if they recognize that Henry will be moving on anyway after this season, why not get something for him now?”
Bills Could Have Another Hole to Fill on Offense
The Bills could also choose to add depth at tight end, where they face an uncertain depth chart after a wrist injury for Dawson Knox. Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced on Monday that Knox would need surgery and would be out for an indefinite period of time. The Bills had not yet made a decision on Knox’s future, which could include a trip to injured reserve.
The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia wrote that Knox has seen a dip in production this season, which may have been related to the lingering injury that is now being addressed with surgery.
“The tight end became one of the central figures of the Bills offense over the last several years, even signing a long-term extension,” Buscaglia wrote. “However, he has had an extremely slow start to the 2023 season, averaging a career-worst 6.8 yards per catch. Knox has also struggled with drops this season, and perhaps the wrist injury explains some of those missed opportunities.”