Heading into the offseason, the top item on Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane’s to-do list is finding a suitable replacement for head coach Sean McDermott, who was fired earlier this week after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Buffalo is interviewing a host of possible replacements including Joe Brady, Brian Daboll, Mike McDaniel, Anthony Lynn, Philip Rivers, and Lou Anarumo to fill McDermott’s role.
But after finding a new head coach, Beane must turn his attention to building his 2026 roster — an endeavor that includes deciding which of Buffalo’s 23 free agents are worth retaining, filling roster holes with prospective free agents, and building a 2026 draft class.
Dawson Knox Casts Doubt on Bills Future
GettyBuffalo Bills TE Dawson Knox
The Bills are projected to be $11.61 million over the 2026 salary cap, according to Over the Cap.
There are a handful of players who could be on the chopping block as cap casualties, and tight end Dawson Knox is at the top of that list — and he knows it.
During a recent appearance on Mitch Morse’s “Monday Morning with Mitch” podcast, Knox revealed that there’s a good chance the Bills don’t bring him back next season.
“I know that they want to bring me back, however, they can’t even know right now what the cap’s going to be,” Knox stated.
“… Wherever I end up, I hope my tight ends coach is there with me.”
Knox is about to enter the final season of his three-year, $29.5 million extension he signed back in 2022. He carries a $17.068 million cap hit in 2026, and Buffalo can save a decent chunk of change by parting ways with the 29-year-old pass-catcher.
If the Bills cut or trade Knox pre-June 1 cut, they’d save $9.664 million in cap space, per Over the Cap. If he’s cut or traded post-June 1, the team saves $12 million in cap space.
Buffalo can also create sizeable amounts of cap space through contract restructures — Josh Allen ($12.56 million), Dion Dawkins ($11.37 million), Ed Oliver ($8.88 million), Spencer Brown ($10.62 million), Joshua Palmer ($6.5 million).
It can also extend some players to create more breathing room with the cap as well — Allen ($12.56 million), Dawkins ($12.13 million), Oliver ($10.66 million), Brown ($10.62 million), Knox ($8.28 million), Palmer ($5.56 million), and Curtis Samuel ($3.94 million).
If the Bills do move on from Knox, it would leave Dalton Kincaid, Jackson Hawes, and Keleki Latu as the tight ends under contract.
Looking at the Bills’ 2026 Free-Agent Class
Buffalo has several players it likely wants to retain, and several positions of need it wants to fill as well.
Below are all of the team’s impending free agents:
- Quarterback: Mitch Trubisky
- Fullback: Reggie Gilliam
- Wide receivers: Gabriel Davis and Brandin Cooks
- Guard: David Edwards
- Center: Connor McGovern
- Defensive tackles: Jordan Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, and DaQuan Jones
- Edge-rushers: A.J. Epenesa and Joey Bosa
- Linebackers: Shaq Thompson and Matt Milano
- Cornerbacks: Cam Lewsi and Tre’Davious White
- Safeties: Sam Franklin, Darnell Savage, Jordan Poyer, and Damar Hamlin
- Kicker: Matt Prater
- Punter: Mitch Wishnowsky
Restricted free agents:
- Offensive tackles: Alex Anderson and Ryan Van Demark
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