As Dalton Kincaid evolves into a dual-threat powerhouse, Buffalo faces a looming financial crossroads to secure Josh Allen’s favorite target before his skyrocketing value triggers a massive payday.
The trade with the Chicago Bears for wide receiver DJ Moore will give Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen one of his best receiving groups since Stefon Diggs was on the team.
The Bills hope Keon Coleman can take the next step this fall after a rough start to his career the past two seasons. Khalil Shakir led the Bills in receiving last year and should be a key part of the offense this season.
Tight end Dalton Kincaid has been a solid target for Allen in his first three seasons in the league, but he has yet to have a breakout season while dealing with a few injury issues.
Dan Graziano of ESPN is hearing that the Bills believe Kincaid could make a leap in his fourth year in Buffalo. He's improved on his blocking skills in addition to being a receiver threat.
"But people inside the Bills' building say Kincaid has looked different this offseason," Graziano wrote. "In particular, the coaching staff believes he's playing with more strength and physicality as a blocker in the run game. The Bills have always seen Kincaid as a player who could function as a high-level receiving threat in their offense.
"But when you hear coaches talk about a tight end improving his ability as a blocker, that's the kind of thing that makes you think he has a chance to be on the field more."
The Bills picked up the fifth-year option for Kincaid for the 2027 season. Graziano suggested that the front office could have a tough decision to make in the offseason if the tight end makes vast leaps in 2026.
"(Buffalo) has some time to decide what to do with him long term," Graziano wrote. "But if he can deliver a fully healthy season and if his apparent offseason improvements carry into the season, he could be in line for a big payday next spring."
Ideally, Kincaid can stay on the field and continue to build chemistry with Allen. That could go a long way in keeping the Bills in the Super Bowl hunt this year and could land the tight end a great deal before the 2027 campaign.
