A significant reorganization is underway at the Buffalo Bills in anticipation of the 2024 NFL season. Many starters consented to contract restructures when the team quickly removed several important veterans in order to become cap-compliant.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler first reported that tight end Dawson Knox has agreed to restructure his deal before the start of free agency. Prior to the 2022 season, Knox, the Bills’ third-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract extension. The restructuring reduced his 2024 $14.4 million cap impact.
After one of his least productive seasons to date, Knox is returning to action. With tight end Dalton Kincaid emerging as a reliable pass-catcher for Josh Allen, the Bills quarterback, Knox’s reorganization appeared to pave the way for Kincaid’s 2025 release.
But as it happened, the reverse was true. The Bills and Dawson Knox agreed to a three-year, $29.5 million reworked contract on Sunday, March 17. This reduced Knox’s 2024 cap hit by $6.5 million. Knox’s new contract guarantees $12.5 million, of which $4.5 million is his compensation until 2025. Fans and commentators have strong reactions to the deal details.
With a $14 million cap hit in 2025 and a dead cap hit of $16.97 million, Knox effectively took a pay cut, but the 27-year-old won’t be leaving this year. “Very interesting, makes Dawson, who was a ‘good cut candidate’ in 2025, now a quite bad cut candidate,” wrote YardsPerPass in a post.
“He is so overpaid,” one admirer retorted. How awful of a deal that is. For another two years, Knox’s confinement pleased some. “Took less money in 2024, but makes sure he gets another year with the Bills,” wrote a different fan on social media. Win-win for the Bills and Dawson Knox.
Dawson, TE for the Bills Knox missed five games following surgery on his wrist. Midway through the 2023 NFL season, Knox suffered wrist surgery, which caused him to miss five games. But prior to the surgery, he wasn’t exactly a key offensive player. He has only recorded 15 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown in the first seven games. Knox caught 22 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games. He added two more receptions for 13 yards and a touchdown in two playoff games.
This was a dramatic drop in output after two seasons with more than 500 yards in a row. According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic, his 2023 drop percentage of 13.2% was “the worst drop rate of the past four seasons by a Bills skill position player.”
But Kincaid’s addition is too important to ignore. The Bills started out with 12 players, but after Knox returned, Buffalo strayed from their game plan.
The season ended with 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games, with Knox mostly employed as a blocker. During the Bills’ postseason run, he added eight more grabs for 104 yards and a touchdown.
There is a need for the Bills to commit to Dalton Kincaid as TE1 in 2024.
It is in Joe Brady’s offense’s best interest to have Kincaid as the starting tight end, even if Knox has a very lucrative backup deal.
Buscaglia stated, “Kincaid represents the franchise’s future and present at this position, even though Knox’s role will suffer. Although Kincaid may still improve as a blocker, the Bills are most effective when they pass to create space for the run and strike a balance.
“Kincaid has the potential to be the greatest tight end in team history, and the Bills will benefit long-term from their early commitment to him as the starting tight end in most circumstances.”
During his press conference at the end of the season, Bills general manager Brandon Beane hinted that Knox would play a more supporting role. “I think Dawson deserves a lot of credit. Having played here and seen all the plays he has done for us, it’s probably not an easy task to select a player in the first round. It’s true that we are all humans. “What does this mean for me?” is probably what you’ll ask yourself first.
“I believe they will support one another going forward. Although Dalton tries to play physically, he lacks Dawson’s play strength and physical development. However, I envision both of those guys supporting us in the future. Again, provide Joe (Brady) with a range of choices based on the character you’re portraying.
