There's an evident level of frustration surrounding the Kansas City Chiefs now that Tuesday's trade deadline is in the rearview. Whether it was adding to a questionable backfield or bolstering the pass rush, there was an expectation that something would get accomplished before the deadline passed. Instead, the Chiefs opted to stick with the current roster and simply hope for improvement within.
As difficult as it might be to doubt the current decision makers, it isn't a hot take to point out that this wasn't a terribly popular decision.
Fortunately, fans will feel a bit better by the fact that the Chiefs weren't the only AFC contender not to make a move of note. The Buffalo Bills were listed among The Athletic's list of deadline losers alongside the Chiefs.
The Bills badly needed to add a more consistent weapon for Josh Allen and failed to make a single impact move. Watching as both Jakobi Meyers and Rashid Shaheed were dealt for incredibly affordable packages, the Bills should've been willing to spend.
Shaheed was dealt for a 2026 fourth- and fifth-round draft pick while Meyers was traded for a fourth- and sixth-round pick. From the perspective of Buffalo fans, it is easy to see why the fanbase would be unhappy that the Bills were unwilling to meet this price.
Bills' Trade Deadline Failure Should Ease Chiefs Fans' Pain
The Bills' status as a failure is not only understandable because they didn't help quarterback Josh Allen, but also due to their not addressing the extensive defensive injuries. Joey Bosa, Taron Johnson, DaQuan Jones, A.J. Epenesa, and Shaq Thompson are all banged up or have missed practice recently, and any long-term absences could derail Buffalo's campaign.
Regardless, the Bills' lackluster showing gives Chiefs fans reason to feel better about their own quiet deadline. Buffalo opting to sit in place doesn't give the franchise a better chance of finding an elusive first playoff win over QB Patrick Mahomes.
While Kansas City's record might not be as good as hoped, there is no denying that the proven pieces are in place to make another Super Bowl run. For the Bills, this is more of a question mark with defensive injuries and question marks around Allen's targets.
“The Bills needed help on both sides of the ball. Another pass rusher would have been nice, and an interior run stopper was definitely high on the needs list,” The Athletic's Mike Jones wrote in the aforementioned story. “So too was an explosive pass catcher to give Josh Allen the home run threat necessary to more effectively put opponents away. But Buffalo came away from the deadline with none of those boxes checked.”
The only experience the Bills have on their roster is regular-season accomplishments for a team that always loses to K.C. when it matters most. The Bills made zero moves to improve and left the door open for history to yet again repeat itself in the 2025 playoffs.
Buffalo fans have to feel apprehensive about the second half of the year, even after beating the Kansas City in Week 9. The regular-season win is a familiar feeling that always gives the Bills a bit of hope that head coach Andy Reid's team is vulnerable, only for the Chiefs to emerge victorious in the postseason.
Let's see if that history repeats itself in January.