Could the Bills Really Trade Dion Dawkins? Cap Crunch Forces Tough Questions in Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills are staring down a pivotal offseason, and not the kind that revolves around splashy signings or bold draft-day trades. No, this is shaping up to be the kind of offseason where tough financial decisions take center stage - the kind where even franchise cornerstones aren’t guaranteed safe harbor.
After another frustrating playoff exit, the Bills find themselves nearly $10 million over the salary cap. That’s not just a number on a spreadsheet - it’s a flashing red light that says something’s got to give. And that “something” might be someone the team and fans alike never expected to see on the trade block: left tackle Dion Dawkins.
Let’s be clear: trades involving elite left tackles are rare in the NFL. We're talking about a premium position, protecting the blind side of your franchise quarterback.
When these guys move, it’s usually headline news - think Trent Williams to the 49ers in 2020 or Laremy Tunsil to the Texans. Those deals don’t happen often, and for good reason.
But according to recent speculation, Houston could be a potential suitor if the Bills decide to explore a Dawkins deal. The Texans have already shown a willingness to invest heavily in offensive line talent, and adding a player of Dawkins’ caliber would be a massive boost to their protection unit. From their perspective, it’s worth picking up the phone.
For Buffalo, though, this isn’t just about football fit - it’s about finances. Dawkins is entering the final two years of a three-year, $60 million extension he signed in March 2024.
Trading him would free up roughly $15.5 million in cap space this offseason - a tempting figure for a team in desperate need of flexibility. But it comes at a steep cost: nearly $30 million in dead cap.
That’s the kind of financial gymnastics that makes front offices sweat. Yes, you get some immediate relief, but you’re also eating a massive chunk of money that can’t be used elsewhere. And beyond the dollars and cents, there’s the on-field impact to consider.
Dawkins isn’t just a name on the roster - he’s still playing at a high level. He earned an 81.5 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus this season, a strong indicator that he’s far from slowing down.
He also shares a tight bond with quarterback Josh Allen, which matters more than people often realize. Chemistry between a QB and his blindside protector isn’t just locker room talk - it’s a real, tangible advantage on Sundays.
So the question becomes: is there a world where Buffalo actually gets better by moving on from Dawkins? That’s a tough sell. You’d be parting ways with a top-tier tackle, absorbing a mountain of dead cap, and potentially disrupting the rhythm of your offense - all for the sake of cap relief.
But here’s the cold reality: the Bills are boxed in. With limited financial flexibility and a roster that hasn’t been able to push through to the Super Bowl, something’s got to change. And when you’re over the cap and still falling short in the postseason, even your most trusted veterans can end up on the chopping block.
This spring is shaping up to be one of the most consequential offseasons in recent Buffalo history. Whether it’s Dawkins or someone else, the Bills are going to have to make a move - maybe several - that stings. The question is whether they can find a way to reset the books without gutting the core of what’s made them a contender in the first place.
Stay tuned. The next few months in Orchard Park could get very interesting.