Bills star eagerly awaits Buffalo to prove doubters wrong in 2024

There was a time when the franchise was in the throes of a playoff drought that left something to be desired. The Buffalo Bills went 17 straight seasons (2000-16) without making the playoffs. The team hired Sean McDermott as its new head coach in 2017, and he has guided the Bills to six playoff appearances in seven campaigns. That includes a current streak of five straight years, the last four as AFC East champions.

This offseason has presented many challenges for general manager Brandon Beane. Salary cap issues have led to some tough decisions, the biggest being trading star receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. With that, the receiving corps has been in the spotlight, not being as strong as it was on paper.

Like McDermott, tackle Dion Dawkins made his first year with the organization in 2017. A second-round draft pick that year, he established himself as one of the best players at his position and has been named to the last three Pro Bowls. On a recent edition of NFL Network’s “The Insiders,” he discussed the many changes made to the roster.

“There’s a lot of guys that aren’t here,” Dawkins said, via NFL.com. “But it’s the NFL. Players come, players go, they have to be ready. I think no matter who’s going to be in those positions, we know they’re going to give it their all. You know, like 14 (Stefon Diggs), 21 (Jordan Poyer), 23 (Micah Hyde), all those numbers might not have the same faces, but we’re shooting for the stars.”

Other departures include veteran center Mitch Morse, 2023 sacks leader Leonard Floyd, wideout Gabe Davis and cornerback Tre’Davious White. With all of these players leaving, fans and media pundits aren’t giving the Bills a chance to contend for the 2024 Super Bowl. However, Dawkins seems to be taking an us-against-the-world mentality.

“Everybody’s shutting us out, which I have no problem with. We can fly under the radar and hit everybody with uppercuts. I have no problem with that, but I’m going to support these guys from a distance. It’s definitely different, and I’m still adjusting to it. I’m trying to respond to it, but I’m adjusting to it every day, because it’s different, man. It’s definitely different.”

“Everyone” might be a bit strong. The Miami Dolphins have been the Bills’ biggest challengers over the past two seasons. However, Mike McDaniel’s club is just 1-4 over the past two seasons against Buffalo, including a playoff loss in 2022. Yes, there are a lot of new faces, but McDermott’s team has held its own against its AFC East rivals this decade so far.

Dawkins hopes the Bills prove all their critics wrong.