Grading the Deal: Brandon Beane locks up key Bills offensive piece early with long-term vision in mind

Welcome back, Dawson Knox.

Adam Zientek NFL News Writer
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Bills tight end Dawson Knox leaps into the stands to celebrate with fans after scoring the opening touchdown of the game in first quarter against the Jets during the first half of their last regular season game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. The Bills won 35-8.
Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buffalo Bills have been busy during day two of free agency.

It’s been reported that the Buffalo Bills and tight end Dawson Knox have agreed to terms on a new three-year deal. This comes just hours after the team renegotiated the contract of kicker Tyler Bass to free up about $2 million in available cap space. For Knox, this was a no-brainer move.

Knox had a massive cap hit coming into the 2026 season, sitting around $17-$18 million, and something just had to give. Knox himself, when speaking on the “Monday Mornings with Mitch” podcast, said that his future in Buffalo was in doubt because of the current cap situation Buffalo finds itself in. Buffalo is dead last in the NFL in available cap space, according to Over The Cap.

Dawson Knox and the Bills agree to terms on a new three-year deal

The deal, while the particulars aren’t available at this time, is a huge win for the organization. They don’t have to say goodbye to a player who has meant so much for the fan base and the team, while reducing the cap hit all at the same time. There was a risk that the team would need to cut or trade Knox due to his cap hit being so high, but he stays in Buffalo for the foreseeable future.

Freeing up money for the banana stand is always a big win. The new deal now runs through the 2028 season.

Knox didn’t explode off the stats sheet by any means, a further indicator that something needed to budge in terms of his contract. He finished the 2025 season with 36 receptions for 417 yards and four touchdowns.

Nevertheless, this is a win for Buffalo. Keeping Knox was always the goal.

Grade for the signing: A