On Monday, left tackle Dion Dawkins signed a three-year extension to stay with the Buffalo Bills, securing his place along the club’s offensive line for the next several seasons.
But Josh Allen’s blindside protector had some fun on social media before inking his new deal, giving Bills’ fans cause for concern after last week’s roster purge.
Bills LT Dion Dawkins Jokes About Release Before Extension Announcement
Buffalo entered the 2024 NFL offseason with one of the league’s worst salary cap situations. More than $40 million in the red, the Bills were forced to make several difficult decisions to become cap-compliant before the start of the new league year on March 13.
General manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott said goodbye to franchise stalwarts like CB Tre’Davious White and S Jordan Poyer and reworked deals for veterans such as EDGE Von Miller and CB Rasul Douglas.
Buffalo’s offensive line wasn’t spared change. The Bills released center Mitch Morse after five years and traded interior backup Ryan Bates to the Chicago Bears.
Dawkins wasn’t necessarily viewed as a cut candidate. But he took advantage of Buffalo’s veteran expulsion — and might’ve given some Bills fans a mini-heart attack — by suggesting that his time with the team had ended.
“It was good while it lasted, Buffalo,” Dawkins wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Excited for this next chapter of my football career. Wonder if its ok to eat ranch now.”
🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️🚶🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/QrlXfgpfy0
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) March 11, 2024
The Bills could have created $4.87 million in additional cap space by releasing Dawkins this week. They could have opened up $10.3 million by designating him a post-June 1 cut, although Buffalo wouldn’t have realized that savings until the summer.
Dire financial straits can make NFL teams act irrationally, but a Dawkins release seemed odd. Wouldn’t a competent 29-year-old left tackle, under contract for roughly $10 million in 2024, have some trade value?
Turns out, Dawkins was just having some pre-free agency fun.
Ten minutes after Dawkins’ post, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the former second-round pick had agreed to a three-year, $60.5 million extension with the Bills. Buffalo has since confirmed the move.
KEEP READING: Top Free Agent Offensive Tackles 2024
“Yall are cra why would ever Leave Buffalo im never leaving guy Im buffalo for life,” Dawkins posted on X after Schefter spoiled his joke.
When I said Buffalo is my Home I meant it #LoveYall #BillsMafia #YouAlreadyShnow
— Dion Dawkins (@DDawkins66) March 11, 2024
Dawkins, a Pro Bowler in each of the past three seasons, previously had a $16.6 million cap charge for 2024. His extension should reduce that figure, helping Buffalo to creep closer toward the financial black before Wednesday’s business begins.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
