The AFC trade deadline picture got a lot more crowded Monday, and the Buffalo Bills suddenly have another contender making noise.
While the Bills were preparing for Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, the Jacksonville Jaguars went to work in a big way. Sitting at 6-2 and holding a huge lead in the AFC South, Jacksonville made a clear push to load up for a run in the conference.
The first move came early Monday morning, when the Jaguars struck a deal with the Atlanta Falcons for safety Jessie Bates III, according to Adam Schefter. That was just the start.
Not long after strengthening the back end, Jacksonville added more muscle up front by acquiring run-stopping defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, per Tom Pelissero. Then came the biggest swing of the day: Jordan Schultz reported that the Jaguars landed defensive tackle Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles. Schefter later reported that Jacksonville is sending its 2027 first-round pick and 2029 second-round pick to Philadelphia in the deal.
In all, the Jaguars gave up five draft picks across the three trades, but they came away with a defense that looks a lot different than it did before the deadline frenzy.
For the Bills, that matters. The AFC was already loaded, and now Jacksonville has made its intentions impossible to miss. Buffalo barely got past the Jaguars in last year’s Wild Card round, and with the Bills off to another strong start, the new-look Jaguars are now part of the pressure around the top of the conference.
Buffalo’s immediate attention is on Minnesota, but the front office has been handed a new challenge. Brandon Beane is now under the microscope to make a move of his own before the deadline passes.
The Bills need help at safety, and adding a corner or even a linebacker is also on the table. After Jacksonville’s aggressive run, Beane can’t afford to come up empty.
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Tony Romo Added Another Twist To A Strange Bills Vikings Night
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Romo also zeroed in on Minnesotas offense as the Vikings struggled through a rough outing from Carson Wentz, turning the spotlight on play-calling as the game unfolded. His comments gave the night an extra national angle beyond the action on the field, especially with Buffalo fans watching a game that already felt like it belonged to a strange corner of the league calendar. [Read more 🡒]