Blockbuster Trade Pitch Moves All-Pro Safety To Bills In 'Honey' Of A Deal
The last few years have seen some key investments by the Buffalo Bills in their secondary. Last offseason, Taylor Rapp and Taron Johnson were both locked into three-year deals.
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This time around, the Bills kept Damar Hamlin on a cheap one-year deal and inked Christian Benford to a handsome four-year $76 million deal. They also used their first-round draft pick on cornerback Maxwell Hairston.
All these players vary in skill and ability, but represent the Bills' ongoing efforts to maintain a solid secondary in a conference littered with potent passing game threats. This collection of players has mostly been around for the team's recent runs, where they have fallen short.
Buffalo wants to end that streak and finally break through this coming season. To do so, it may require a little extra aggression in their roster construction. Since free agency has passed, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski has offered a blockbuster three-team deal that would help the Bills accomplish that.
In this trade, he has the Bills getting New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and sending tight end Dawson Knox to the Saints while the Atlanta Falcons get Kirk Cousins.
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"Tyrann Mathieu is a New Orleans native and wants to play in his hometown. However, a trade to a perennial Super Bowl contender should be enough to get him on board, even if it's in Buffalo.
"The Bills can use the three-time first-team All-Pro all over the field as a defensive chess piece. At 33, he's still a better safety than Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin. Buffalo needs the type of players who can push the team over the top. Mathieu can be one of those individuals."
Mathieu clears those players in front of him and also brings a championship pedigree. Mathieu won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs but has spent the last three years playing for his hometown team.
His talent and championship experience are attributes that a team like the Bills is starved for. There's a clear line of reasoning where Mathieu plugs in and immediately upgrades this unit, still plenty capable under Sean McDermott.
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Of course, this trade would require the sacrifice of Knox. Though the Bills are equipped to deal with such a loss, if it means gaining a player of Mathieu's ilk on the opposite side.
General manager Brandon Beane has pulled several daring moves in recent seasons, and this one would fall into that category. Mathieu may not be the exact target, but do not be surprised if Buffalo goes on the hunt for a veteran player who can enhance their title chances.
Related: Bills Mafia Queen Hailee Steinfeld Flaunts Wedding Ring For First Time
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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