A 2017 Bills Kelvin Benjamin Trade Lands Among NFL’s Worst Deadline Mistakes as Team Eyes Help

Bills weigh a deadline move

Buffalo enters the 2026 NFL trade deadline at 6-1 and holding the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The team is looking for help in its pass defense, particularly at safety and cornerback.

Benjamin deal ranked among worst

In Beane’s first season as Buffalo’s general manager, the Bills acquired wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin from the Carolina Panthers. The price was a 2018 third-round pick and a 2018 seventh-round pick.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski included the deal among the decade’s ten worst deadline trades. Benjamin played 16 games for Buffalo, and the team released him during the 2018 season.

Early promise faded in Buffalo

Benjamin had recorded 1,008 receiving yards as a rookie in 2014. Sobleski noted that he was 26 when the trade happened and had gained 1,949 yards across his first two healthy seasons.

The Bills hoped he would bring size and reliable outside receiving to their offense, including in the red zone. Instead, he caught 39 passes and scored two touchdowns in 18 appearances, according to Sobleski’s account.

Career continued after release

After Buffalo released him, Benjamin joined the Kansas City Chiefs. He appeared in three games and caught two passes. Benjamin tried to return in 2021 with the New York Giants and worked out at tight end, but he did not play in another regular-season game after his brief Chiefs stint.