ORCHARD PARK — The NFL is moving toward an 18-game regular season with the speed of a Tyreek Hill post-route, but Buffalo Bills star Dion Dawkins is throwing a red challenge flag. Speaking this week, the three-time Pro Bowl tackle admitted that while more football is a “beautiful business choice” for the league, it threatens the longevity of the men in the trenches. Dawkins is calling for a specific “counter” to ensure players aren’t chewed up by the expanded schedule.
The 31-year-old offensive tackle has seen the league evolve significantly during his 10-year career. As the 2026 NFL Annual Meeting approaches in Phoenix, owners are expected to formalize the jump from 17 to 18 games. Dawkins acknowledges the reality of the situation but warns that the physical math doesn’t add up for the players. He noted that the average NFL career already hovers around three seasons, a number he fears will drop even further as the workload increases.
Dawkins suggests that if the league insists on more games, they must offer players a “game off” or better workload management. He pointed out that since contracts aren’t fully guaranteed, every extra snap is a gamble with a player’s future earnings. The Bills’ veteran leader is pushing for the league to take care of “average players” and those “just making it by,” not just the superstars who can afford the extra wear and tear.
You can see the logic. In 2025, the Bills fought through a 12-5 season that saw key starters miss significant time due to soft-tissue injuries. Adding another week of high-impact collisions only heightens that risk.
“I think the world that we live in is just a different type of world. Production, entertainment, sports. We’re a part of that world where people want to see football more. So, the 18th game is a beautiful business choice as the league. The only counter that I see to it is guys’ careers are only getting shorter.”
— Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Left Tackle
This push for 18 games comes at a time of massive transition in Western New York. The Bills are entering their first full season under head coach Joe Brady, who took the reins after Sean McDermott’s exit last year. Brady’s high-octane offense relies on Dawkins’ ability to protect Josh Allen, who is now balancing life as an elite QB and a new father. If the 18-game schedule is ratified for the 2027 cycle, the Bills will likely need to overhaul their roster depth immediately.
General Manager Brandon Beane has already started adjusting. The team’s recent focus on “swing” tackle depth and interior rotations suggests Buffalo is preparing for a world where no offensive lineman plays 100% of the snaps. Whether the NFLPA can negotiate a second bye week or expanded rosters remains the biggest hurdle before the owners’ vote next week.
