The Buffalo Bills have made several significant secondary investments in recent years. Both Taron Johnson and Taylor Rapp signed three-year contracts last offseason.
This time, the Bills signed Christian Benford to a lucrative four-year, $76 million contract while keeping Damar Hamlin on a cheap one-year contract. Additionally, they selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston with their first-round selection pick.
Despite their differences in skill and ability, these players all reflect the Bills’ continuous attempts to keep a strong secondary in a conference full of dangerous passing game threats. This group of players has largely been present during the team’s recent unsuccessful runs.
This upcoming season, Buffalo hopes to break through and end that run. They might need to be a little more aggressive in their roster creation in order to accomplish this. Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report has proposed a blockbuster three-team agreement that would enable the Bills to do so now that open agency has ended.
He has the Bills acquire safety Tyrann Mathieu from the New Orleans Saints, trade tight end Dawson Knox to the Saints, and acquire Kirk Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
“Tyrann Mathieu wishes to perform in his hometown of New Orleans. But even if it’s in Buffalo, a trade to a consistent Super Bowl contender ought to be sufficient to convince him to join.
“The three-time first-team All-Pro can be used by the Bills as a defensive chess piece anywhere on the field. Even at 33, he is a superior safety over Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp. Players that can elevate the team to the next level are what Buffalo needs. Mathieu might be one of those people.
In addition to clearing the players in front of him, Mathieu has a history of winning championships. Although he has played for his hometown team for the past three years, Mathieu won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs.
For a team like the Bills, his skill and championship experience are invaluable. This equipment is still quite capable under Sean McDermott, so it makes sense for Mathieu to plug it in and update it right away.
Naturally, Knox would have to give up something in order to make this exchange. However, the Bills are prepared to handle such a loss if it means acquiring a guy similar to Mathieu on the opposing team.
This would be another bold move by general manager Brandon Beane, who has made a number of them in recent seasons. Buffalo may not specifically seek Mathieu, but don’t be shocked if they start looking for a seasoned player who can improve their chances of winning the championship.