The Buffalo Bills weren't about to let their franchise offensive tackle hit free agency.
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Just after the NFL legal tampering period opened at noon Monday, the Bills and three-time Pro Bowl tackle Dion Dawkins agreed to terms on a massive three-year contract worth $60 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bills three-time Pro-Bowl left tackle Dion Dawkins is signing a three-year, $60.5 million extension, per sources. The deal is expected to make Dawkins the fourth highest-paid tackle in the league. pic.twitter.com/hcOhFisJBn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Buffalo previously made a flurry of moves, including releasing All-Pro safety Jordan Poyer, restructuring Von Miller's contract, and more. All were part of an effort to become cap-compliant before making sure that one of quarterback Josh Allen's most important offensive linemen would be staying in Western New York.
Dawkins, who enjoys being part of the Bills' explosive offense, isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"I see those plays as me with the ball. As a kid, I always dreamed of catching touchdowns or running touchdowns in. So when I'm out in front of the guys with the ball, it kind of just gives me that bit of — 'It's on me,'" Dawkins told reporters last season.
Dawkins gave Bills fans a scare prior to the announcement of his extension. The Bills offensive lineman took to Instagram with a heartfelt message implying that he was leaving Buffalo, only to come back and reveal that it had been a prank on fans.
A former second-round pick of the Bills in the 2017 NFL Draft, Dawkins is coming off a stellar 2023 season in which he allowed only one sack in 689 pass-blocking snaps. Pro Football Focus charges Dawkins with only seven quarterback hits, while awarding the stalwart tackle a 76.4 pass-protection grade and a 73.7 overall mark.
Dawkins has made three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, and this latest contract extension gives the Temple University alum the possibility of playing out his entire career with the Bills.
