Indianapolis, Ind. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox is entering the final year of his contract and, after restructuring his deal back in 2024, is scheduled to count over $17 million on this year's salary cap.
While speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Bills general manager and president of football operations Brandon Beane was asked about the future of Knox, who will turn 30-years-old in November.
"Love Dawson. He’s been great since we drafted him in 2019, and it's been fun to watch his career. And even how he handled it after we paid him, then the drafting of Dalton Kincaid and continuing to do whatever this team asked," said Beane on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
The team would save over $9.6 million by releasing the veteran, but would still incur a $7.4 million dead cap hit for him to not be on the roster. Beane acknowledged that the cap number is high for a team already strapped against the cap.
"He has a tough number as we go into the season, so we've gotta figure that out, as we do," Beane said. "Dawson and I had dialogue. The day after the season, the day after we lost in Denver, he came up to my office. We talked for a while. I have a good relationship with Chase Callahan, his agent. Done a lot of deals, and so I think it just starts with trust, communication, and honest conversation. And so we've had some dialogue."
Knox had a solid season in 2025, catching 36 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. He played in all 17 games, starting 12 of them, and was relied upon heavily, at times, when Kincaid missed time due to injuries.
"We're not to the point where we need to do anything yet. We'll continue those [conversations]," Beane acknowledged. "Like many decisions we have, we're down to a couple weeks to make those. So there's no answer. There's no resolution in the next 24 hours or anything like that, but the discussions have happened and they'll be done."
The Bills have until March 11 to be under the league-mandated salary cap for the start of the 2026 season.
