INDIANAPOLIS — In an effort to manage their salary cap, the Buffalo Bills began making roster financial adjustments on Tuesday by restructuring the contract of right tackle Spencer Brown. This restructuring freed about $10.4 million in cap space, but the team still needs to further reduce expenses to fall beneath the projected salary cap limit, which is estimated between $301 million and $305 million for the upcoming season.
High Cap Hit for Knox Presents a Challenge
Tight end Dawson Knox carries a $17.86 million cap charge for the 2026 season, the fourth-largest on Buffalo’s roster after quarterback Josh Allen, left tackle Dion Dawkins, and defensive tackle Ed Oliver. Bills president and general manager Brandon Beane addressed the issue during the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, indicating that the organization is carefully considering the best approach to decrease Knox’s cap hit.
Ongoing Conversations Between Beane and Knox
Beane revealed that he and Knox have already begun discussions about the situation.
He has a tough number as we go into the season,
Beane said.
“And so we got to figure that out as we do. We got multiple decisions. Dawson and I had dialog the day after the season. He came up to my office (and) we talked for a while. … I think it just starts with trust, communication, honest conversation.”
We know, like many decisions we have, we know we’re down to a couple weeks to make those and 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 continue.
Though no immediate resolution is expected, ongoing talks will determine whether Knox accepts a pay adjustment to remain with the team or faces release.
Potential Strategies to Reduce Knox’s Cap Number
The Bills have the option to release Knox, which would leave a $7.4 million dead cap charge but clear roughly the same amount of space gained through Brown’s contract restructuring. Alternatively, Beane is open to renegotiating Knox’s contract if the tight end agrees to a lower salary.
When Knox signed a three-year extension in 2022 worth nearly $30 million, he was the starting tight end for Buffalo. Since the Bills drafted Dalton Kincaid in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Knox’s role shifted to the secondary tight end. Knox holds the franchise record with nine receiving touchdowns in the 2021 season, but following Kincaid’s arrival, he has combined for only seven total touchdowns over the past three seasons.
Buffalo’s History of Securing Player Pay Adjustments
The Bills have precedent for persuading long-tenured players to accept salary reductions to alleviate cap pressure. Last offseason, linebacker Matt Milano took a pay cut to support the team’s financial flexibility.
We’ve done pay cuts before with players,
Beane explained.
With those, you have to keep in mind, they’re going to try and figure out what their market is, and that’s what their agents do a great job of. And everyone wants to feel respected and (get what) they’re worth. (Dawson) knows his role on this team. And we’d be crazy not to want a Dawson Knox back. We know we have to make it work for him and work for us.
Additional Cap Management Efforts Under Consideration
Besides Knox’s situation, the Bills are looking at restructuring contracts of other high-earning players such as Josh Allen and Dion Dawkins to create more cap room. Beane expects to complete at least one more contract restructure soon but cautioned against overextending the team’s financial liabilities into future seasons.
I also want to be mindful, I don’t want to put too much of that down the road to where we walk into a year and we’ve got a major problem just to get under,
Beane said.
And now we’re just cutting players just to get to the draft and we’re really fielding a team that’s not set up for success.
Balancing Field Performance and Locker Room Impact
In deciding how to handle Knox’s contract, the Bills are weighing not only his on-field contributions but also his value within the locker room and off the field. Beane highlighted the multifaceted importance of Knox’s presence to the team’s dynamics.
When you’re talking about a guy like Dawson and what he brings, it’s also the value in the locker room, off the field,
Beane said.
So sometimes people will cut your roster down or make decisions for you based on just the skill set or what they see on the field, compared to the number. Those are things that matter to me a lot, and that I weigh too when I’m making these decisions, is what is the player’s value on the field? Yes, it’s this. But if you lose them, what do you also lose in your locker room. Again, those make it hard.
What Lies Ahead for Dawson Knox and the Buffalo Bills
The Bills face important decisions in the coming weeks that will significantly impact their roster composition and salary cap situation. How Knox’s contract is ultimately handled will reflect the team’s broader strategy to balance financial constraints with maintaining competitive talent and locker room leadership. The ongoing discussions between Beane and Knox, along with possible restructures involving other key players like Allen and Dawkins, will shape Buffalo’s roster heading into the next NFL season.
