NFL Free Agency: Dion Dawkins re-signs with Bills after faking goodbye message to Buffalo
Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins faked out fans on Monday before it was announced that he signed a new three-year contract extension. The former Temple Owls star posted on social media that “It was good while it lasted” with Buffalo, which led to quite a bit of handwringing from Bills fans.
After the news broke that he was, in fact, staying with his team on a three-year deal for $60.5 million. The new contract makes him the fourth-highest paid tackle in the NFL next season.
“Yall are cra why would ever Leave Buffalo,” Dawkins posted. “I’m never leaving guy I’m buffalo for life.”
A former second-round draft pick in 2017, Dawkins has started nearly every game that he’s been healthy for since entering the league. He started all 17 games during the 2023 season as the Bills went 11-6 in the regular season. He also started the two post-season games. Dawkins has made the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons and he has two receiving touchdowns in his career.
More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency
The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who will become unrestricted free agents.
In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.