Cap and roster shakeups ahead 💰📊:
– Bills are projected about $11.6 million over the 2026 cap. Dawson Knox could be a top cap casualty as Buffalo reshapes the tight end room and payroll.
– Knox is entering the final year of his 3-year, $29.5M extension with a $17.068M cap hit in 2026. Cutting or trading him pre-June 1 saves about $9.66M; cutting post-June 1 saves around $12M.
– Cap-minting moves possible through restructures (e.g., Josh Allen, Dion Dawkins, Ed Oliver, Spencer Brown, Joshua Palmer) or extensions to spread money out (Allen, Dawkins, Oliver, Brown, Knox, Palmer, Curtis Samuel).
– If Knox moves on, the tight end depth would likely be Dalton Kincaid, Jackson Hawes, and Keleki Latu.
Looking ahead at the 2026 free-agent class 🗓️🏈:
– Quarterback: Mitch Trubisky
– Fullback: Reggie Gilliam
– Wide receivers: Gabriel Davis, Brandin Cooks
– Guard: David Edwards
– Center: Connor McGovern
– Defensive tackles: Jordan Phillips, Larry Ogunjobi, DaQuan Jones
– Edge-rushers: A.J. Epenesa, Joey Bosa
– Linebackers: Shaq Thompson, Matt Milano
– Cornerbacks: Cam Lewis, Tre’Davious White
– Safeties: Damar Hamlin, Jordan Poyer, Darnell Savage, Sam Franklin
– Kicker: Matt Prater
– Punter: Mitch Wishnowsky
– Restricted free agents: Offensive tackles Alex Anderson and Ryan Van Demark
Key takeaway for fans 🏈🔥: Buffalo’s off-season slate is about two big pivots at once—finding a new head coach and getting the 2026 roster under cap control. Knox’s status could be a major leverage point in how aggressive they are with spending, while the list of potential free agents signals a dramatic shape-up across offense and defense. Stay tuned as Beane navigates the coaching search and the cap to plot Buffalo’s next championship window 📊🏈.
