Both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills are looking to strengthen the interior of their defensive lines ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline, setting up a potential bidding war for the same players.
The Bills’ need is more urgent after a devastating injury to star defensive tackle Ed Oliver, who is expected to miss a significant amount of time, possibly the rest of the season. This is a major blow to a Bills defense that currently ranks 31st in the league against the run.
While the Chiefs have a solid starting duo in Mike Pennel and Chris Jones, they are also seeking to add more depth to their defensive line.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, both teams are actively evaluating available defensive tackles. The Chiefs are also looking at running backs due to an injury to Isiah Pacheco, while the Bills have explored options at wide receiver.
A significant obstacle for both teams is their limited salary cap space. The Chiefs have approximately $3 million in cap room, and the Bills have even less at about $1.6 million. This financial constraint makes a major, high-priced trade unlikely for either club.
In terms of trade assets, the Bills may have a slight advantage. They possess 14 draft picks over the next three years (2025-2027), while the Chiefs have only 12 in that same period. This could give Buffalo the edge if the two teams enter a direct competition for a player.
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