The trade deadline is starting to heat up around the league, and the Bills are right in the middle of the conversation.
A handful of notable names have already changed teams this season, including interior defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, guard Quenton Nelson, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., offensive lineman Cam Jurgens and quarterback Jacoby Brissett. With Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline approaching, more movement figures to follow.
For Buffalo, the timing matters. The Bills are 6-1, sitting alone atop both the AFC East and the AFC, and president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane has shown before that he’s willing to make a deal. He has made trade deadline moves in three of the last four regular seasons.
The big question now is what kind of help Buffalo can realistically add. The Bills’ defense is coming off a strong showing against the Baltimore Ravens’ second- and third-string quarterbacks, but the unit still has obvious areas that could use reinforcement.
The issue is cap space. According to Spotrac, Buffalo has just $4.5 million available, which ranks 27th in the NFL.
That makes it tough to take on anyone with a base salary that counts on this year’s cap, even if Beane can create some room with other moves.
Among the names being discussed as possible fits for Buffalo are linebackers Zack Baun, Jordyn Brooks, Daiyon Henley, Cody Barton and Akeem Davis-Gaither; safeties Budda Baker, Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Derwin James and Cam Bynum; defensive end Khalil Mack; and edge rushers K’Lavon Chaisson and Josh Sweat.
Beane has said he’s being as aggressive as ever heading into the deadline, and the focus appears to be defense. The biggest areas Buffalo could target are safety, edge rusher, inside linebacker, boundary cornerback and interior defensive line.
There’s also some injury news worth watching. Starting right tackle Spencer Brown and starting left tackle Dion Dawkins both missed a second straight practice on Friday.
Elsewhere, Buffalo is also tracking what Jordan Hancock’s return could mean for the secondary, and how Josh Allen is handling another major milestone.
In Other News...
Bills Move On From C.J. Gardner-Johnson As Secondary Questions Grow
The Bills have moved on from safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson after the end of his one-game suspension, a decision that came as Buffalo continued sorting through its defensive backfield following the Baltimore game. Head coach Joe Brady said the call was a difficult one because of Gardner-Johnsons edge and personality, but the team ultimately chose to make a change based on what it needed moving forward.
For Buffalo, the timing adds another layer to a secondary that has already been under the microscope, with Damar Hamlin and Geno Stone among the options to help fill the opening. It leaves the Bills trying to stabilize a key part of the defense while also figuring out how best to replace a player whose presence brought a different kind of energy to the room. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Trade Search Just Put Another Intriguing Safety In Play
The Bills search for help on defense has brought another safety into the conversation, with Washingtons Nick Cross emerging as a name worth watching before the November 10 trade deadline. Cross signed a two-year contract with the Commanders in March 2026 and has carved out a versatile role in their defense this season, which is exactly the kind of flexibility Buffalo tends to value when it starts weighing midseason additions.
Cross also has already worked his way back from the injury he suffered in Week 2, adding another layer to his appeal for a team looking at both present help and long-term fit. The question now is whether the Bills decide the combination of role, availability and cost is worth pursuing, especially with any trade coming with both financial implications and draft-pick considerations attached. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Suddenly Have A Bad Timing Problem Before Vikings Game
The Bills offensive line entered the week with an unwelcome dose of uncertainty ahead of a Week 9 matchup with Minnesota, a defense that has made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks with its pressure and blitz looks. Buffalo is already trying to sort through protection issues against a Vikings front that can force offenses out of rhythm, and the timing of the injury report only adds to the concern.
Dion Dawkins and Alec Anderson were both held out of practice, while Spencer Brown was limited as the group dealt with injuries at a spot where continuity matters. For a Bills offense that wants to stay on schedule, the health of the line is suddenly one of the biggest subplots heading into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]