Dawson Knox Returns to Bills After Contract Rethink

Knox’s New Deal and Financial Impact

The Bills kept veteran tight end Dawson Knox on the roster by re‑negotiating his contract this offseason. The resulting three‑year agreement totals $20 million, but the team’s 2026 cap hit was trimmed to $8,551,333 from the original $17.1 million. Cutting Knox would have left Buffalo with a $17.404 million dead‑cap hit, so the restructured deal proved a pragmatic way to retain him without straining the salary‑cap ledger. The new figure makes Knox a more manageable long‑term investment for the franchise.

2025: A Career‑Year for Knox

Last season Knox emerged as a full‑time asset after filling the void left by an injured Dalton Kincaid. He appeared in all 17 regular‑season games and both playoff contests, finishing with 49 targets, 36 receptions, 417 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His 2025 totals marked personal bests since his Pro Bowl 2022 campaign, and he dropped only two passes all year. On the postseason stage Knox added six catches for 62 yards, helping the Bills advance further.

Buffalo’s Tight‑End Landscape

Buffalo fields five tight ends heading into 2026, with Knox slated to remain the primary backup to Kincaid. The other players in the room are Jackson Hawes, Shane Zylstra and Keleki Latu, each bringing different skill sets to the group. The Bills’ passing game targeted tight ends 121 times last year, with 98 of those aimed at the top two players on the depth chart. This heavy usage underscores the value of having a reliable third option in Knox.

Offseason Work and 2026 Outlook

Knox entered the offseason in good health and took part in the team’s conditioning program, signaling readiness for another season. He is 29 years old (turning 30 in November 2026), stands 6‑4 and weighs 254 pounds, and was drafted in the third round (96th overall) by Buffalo in 2019 out of Ole Miss. On the field, Knox is viewed as a dependable target for Josh Allen, and his rapport with the quarterback has grown since he became the longest‑tenured pass‑catcher with the team. If he adds just three more touchdowns this year, he could leap from tied‑fifth to seventh on Buffalo’s all‑time receiving‑TD list for tight ends, surpassing Gabe Davis, Stevie Johnson and Bob Chandler.

What Makes Knox a Key Piece

Beyond his catching ability, Knox offers a balanced skill set that mixes solid routes with enough blocking to be useful in the running game. While he may lack the pure power of Hawes and the deep‑threat ability of Kincaid, he reliably turns short passes into first‑down gains and can sustain blocks against linebackers and defensive linemen. His leadership in the locker room is noted by teammates, and he serves as a “glue guy” who steady‑holds the tight‑end unit without being an All‑Pro or fantasy priority. With these qualities, Knox remains a roster lock for the upcoming season.