So….I found a Facebook post by Dion Dawkins this morning highlighting his time at the Chicago Speedway, promoting his ‘Drift Race Team.’
It provoked a response from memory with me as to the statement he made post-game after the Bills 2025 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium during the second half stretch of the season, in a playoff push to regain the AFC East.
A matter of importance….one would think, especially already losing one at home to New England and another head-scratching loss in the Georgia Dome, to the lowly Falcons whom the Jets beat with the same core we faced on the road.
Why did this post provoke a response of “Wait. Whatttt????”
The answer was Dion Dawkins locker-room analysis as to why the division rival took down the Bills in a lack-luster performance….he stated verbatim: “They wanted it more than us.”
Sure….I may have over-reacted then as maybe I am now, yet in truth I believe that statement from our Pro Bowl Left Tackle essentially reflects a viewpoint from a veteran leader in the locker-room who was having an unusually low-performance season without injury.
The second highest paid athlete on the roster, paid to be a presence in that locker-room, and most definitely on the field.
Dion is a 10 year veteran at the end of his prime and a lack-luster performance as he had on the field vs the Miami Dolphins, as well as the lack-luster season he had in 2025-26 makes you wonder if the skillset is diminishing or is his focus on his craft????
He’s seen everywhere of late, meaning the past few off-seasons and especially in-season in commercials and at drifting events, even participating in such non-football related activities.
Drift racing is not a safe sport and even NASCAR, as well as open-wheel racing is typically considered dangerous….it makes you wonder what his contract even stipulates in terms of the liability involved.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t have a hobby….that’s not the point here.
What I am suggesting is that his off-season ‘should’ (key word here) have more priority in getting better, especially with the line-up he faces before the Week 7 bye-week:
Week 1: Anderson, Edge, Houston Texans (Top-2 DE)
Week 2: Hutchinson, Edge, Detroit Lions (Top-5 DE)
Week 3: Mack, Edge, LAC (Top-15 DE w/HOF credentials)
Week 4: Landry, Edge, NE Patriots (Top10 in 2025)
Week 5: Garrett, Edge, LAR (the best DE in the NFL)
Week 6: Crosby, Edge, LV Raiders (Top-5 DE)
Week 7: Bye-week
It’s easily said but realized the key to the 2026-27 Buffalo Bills season with a new staff, new philosophies, and re-newed sense of urgency that getting off to the best start possible means keeping Allen upright and in particular, protecting his blind-side.
Certainly….a better start than Dion Dawkins had last season.
For a guy that seemingly has a variety of interests outside of football….I for one am hoping his focus in on getting better, because if he doesn’t improve or discounts his importance to the Left Tackle position, this could be a tough year for the left side of the offensive line.
Especially seeing that we apparently are attempting to fill the vacated LG spot with a veteran release from the Panthers or a backup RT in Anderson.
This fact puts even more emphasis on the Left Tackle position and directly on Dion Dawkins to come back to form.
This perspective in reflection of the post-game comment “They wanted it more than us” needs to be addressed in training camp, in pre-season, and certainly for the future of the left side of the offensive line.
IMHO….this is a form of a contract year for Dawkins.
He needs to be better. He needs to focus on what is expected of him in this push to reclaim the AFC East and in a Super Bowl push while Allen is still in his prime.
That proverbial window is closing….just saying.
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I have had some of the same questions about his ventures outside of football becoming a priority. But to be fair, in interviews during the offseason he has acknowledged that he needs to improve and that he wants to be the best NFL tackle. He is working on losing weight and he does share his workouts online (boxing and weightlifting). Last week, he trained with a professional trainer in Oklahoma with other NFL players. I am glad Dion has found happiness outside of football because it will make retirement easier for a guy who likes being in the locker room with the guys and the attention that comes with being an NFL player. I am hoping last year was a fluke and this year the Shnowman balls out.
Good to hear he is clarifying a stance of “getting better”….because that is a priority for him and the left side of the offensive line.
And I love the comment about ‘retirement’. We all wish former Bills have a productive life post-football and will forever consider him Josh’s blindside protector….it’s just not priority at this time in a playoff push for a title.
It’s about chemistry of the offense, the left side of the offensive line with the new LG, and keeping Allen upright.
He needs to be better, period….which starts with staying focused on the job he’s paid handsomely to do.
And this comment to Woods question re: safety and his contract says a lot to me: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/O13FDhzwePc
#1: He does acknowledge he needs to be better, fine, we shall see
#2: For the fact that there isn’t any stipulation in his contract is purely head-scratching (ala Nyiem Hines on a jet-ski)
#3: His defense of “drifting” as a safe or one of the safest motorsports doesn’t address the true concern of his participation in the sport as a drive
And in referencing the danger as it related to Nyiem Hines….he was simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time”, being blind-sided by a neighboring jet-ski while sitting idle himself and it cost him his career.
You don’t think that an average drift car speed of 50-70 mph would cause injury upon impact????
Of course it would….and to our star LT in what could be a variety of potential injuries as a result of (broken leg, dislocated ankle, broken arm, dislocated back, etc.etc.etc.).
So to suggest it’s a “safe” sport is a stretch….even if it is the safest of any motorsport.