The Buffalo Bills continue to lock in their core pieces around Josh Allen. After trading for DJ Moore, re-signing Connor McGovern, adding Dee Alford, and reworking Tyler Bass’ contract, the Bills struck a new three-year extension with tight end Dawson Knox, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Knox’s new Bills’ contract keeps Josh Allen’s trusted red-zone weapon in the fold after he was a possible cut candidate just weeks ago.
Buffalo Bills Sign Dawson Knox to New Contract
The Buffalo Bills found a way to keep their guy. And it was the smart play.
“This was the outcome that had made the most sense to lower cap hit in 2026 and keep a player they value,” Bills reporter Sal Capaccio said of the extension. The Buffalo Bills had been openly discussing Knox’s cap situation over the winter, with GM Brandon Beane calling his $17 million cap number a “tough” number to carry.
Knox’s previous deal was a four-year contract signed in Sept. 2022 that included over $31 million in guarantees. That deal was later restructured into a three-year, $29.5 million contract covering 2024 through 2026, but his 2026 cap hit still sat at a bloated $17.068 million — a number that simply wasn’t sustainable.
The new three-year extension spreads that money out and lowers the 2026 cap hit, giving Buffalo the flexibility it needs to keep building around Allen. Specific financial terms of the new deal have not yet been reported.
Dawson Knox’s 2025 Season With the Buffalo Bills
Knox posted 36 receptions for 417 yards and 4 touchdowns across 17 games in 2025, his best statistical season since 2022 when he earned his Pro Bowl nod. He stepped up in massive moments down the stretch, including a clutch two-touchdown game against the Patriots.
Knox also proved to be a critical run-blocking piece for the Bills’ top-ranked rushing attack in 2025, adding value that doesn’t always show up in the box score. With Dalton Kincaid battling injuries throughout the season, Knox’s reliability became even more important to the Bills’ offensive identity.
Knox doesn’t put up eye-popping offensive numbers, but he delivers when it matters most.
Bills Keep Making Offseason Moves
The Bills now have Knox locked in alongside Kincaid for what should be one of the NFL’s better tight end duos heading into 2026. Knox was originally a third-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2019 and has compiled 229 receptions, 2,694 yards, and 27 touchdowns in his career, including a franchise record for most career touchdowns by a Bills tight end.
Buffalo has made plenty of moves this week, which included trading Taron Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders. GM Brandon Beane isn’t holding back this offseason, as the Bills look to make a deep run into next winter.
Bills Strike New 3-Year Deal With Josh Allen’s Trusted Target