Another year, another soul-crushing playoff defeat for the Buffalo Bills at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs. Bills general manager Brandon Beane held his end-of-season press conference and made his thoughts known on his coaches, players, and calls that influenced the AFC Championship Game loss.
Beane mentioned tight end Dalton Kincaid, who had a critical drop on Buffalo’s final offensive play of the 2024 NFL season.
Brandon Beane Still Has Faith in Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid was drafted No. 25 overall by the Bills in the 2023 NFL Draft and was expected to be a critical piece in Buffalo’s 12-personnel offense. Labeled a “matchup nightmare,” given his route running and pass-catching ability, Kincaid was featured heavily in his first season with adequate results.
As a rookie, Kincaid played 16 regular-season games, totaling 673 receiving yards on 73 receptions with two touchdowns, and added eight receptions for 104 yards and another score in last year’s playoffs. The Bills brass was pleased with their rookie’s outlook and expected a big year in his second season.
Things did not go as planned, however, for Kincaid in 2024. In Week 10, the Buffalo tight end suffered a knee injury against the Indianapolis Colts that forced him to miss the next three games. Buffalo’s bye was Week 12, so it took four weeks for Kincaid to get back on the field.
Kincaid also suffered a shoulder injury after Week 6 that didn’t force him to miss time, but it was another ailment he had to deal with.
Beane mentioned how the different injuries limited his first-round tight end in 2024.
“Dalton (Kincaid) didn’t have the year he or we expected. He got nicked up during the season. He’s tough.”
"Dalton (Kincaid) didn't have the year he or we expected. He got nicked up during the season. He's tough." Mentioned the knee injury in the Colts game set him back. "We believe in Dalton. He's a big part of our plans going forward. No one here has lost confidence in him."
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) January 30, 2025
Kincaid fought through a lot, but his numbers took a hit. His best statistical game of the season was Week 6, in which he caught six balls for 51 yards. Meanwhile, he never gained more than 53 yards in a game and only scored two total touchdowns.
Kincaid finished the 2024 regular season with 44 receptions for 448 yards and a pair of scores while adding six catches for 71 yards and one massive drop in the playoffs.
Despite the sophomore slump, Kincaid still has the backing of his general manager.
“We believe in Dalton. He’s a big part of our plans going forward. No one here has lost confidence in him,” Beane said.
That should be a big boost for an undoubtedly gutted player.
Buffalo is set to contend in the AFC in 2025. Quarterback Josh Allen is a perennial MVP candidate, and many key contributors, like Kincaid, will return for another crack at Kansas City. The tight end will need a strong bounce-back season in 2025, though, in order to make good on the faith his general manager has put in him.