Recently, Dion Dawkins appeared on “The Rich Eisen Show” to discuss all things Buffalo Bills. With a new offensive lineman award out there, Dawkins has a lot to work for in the upcoming 2025 season. It’ll be a season filled with intense scrutiny and media attention as HBO’s “Hard Knocks” finally found their team, and it’s none other than the Bills.
Buffalo has been trying to get over the AFC Championship Game hurdle, only to get stymied by the Kansas City Chiefs year after year.
Dion Dawkins Embraces the ‘Hard Knocks’ Coverage
When Eisen asked Dawkins about the Bills being represented for this season of “Hard Knocks,” Dawkins couldn’t hold his excitement back. He said, “I can’t wait,” about five times, then added: “Realistically, we’re in a place where [Sean] McDermott allows us to show our true personality. We’re going to try as always not to let it be a distraction, but it’s part of entertainment.”
McDermott is entering his ninth season as head coach of the Bills, posting an 86-45 record in the regular season and 7-7 record in the postseason. The Chiefs have knocked them out of the playoffs four times since 2020, including a 32-29 loss in last year’s AFC Championship Game.
Numerous teams have turned down “Hard Knocks” for a number of reasons over the years. While it seemed like “Hard Knocks” was going to focus on a college football team for the first time ever, the NFL announced on May 21 that the Bills would indeed be the featured team. The show will premiere on HBO Max on August 5 at 9 p.m. ET.
“We’re going to be able to show our personality more and more with this ‘Hard Knocks’ thing, and I think that’s pretty cool,” Dawkins said. “Day in and day out, we’re going to keep working and do whatever coach’s plan and show our personalities but still just play football the way it’s supposed to be played.”
Ready to Let Their ‘Large Personality’ Shine
Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler at left tackle, should be among the favorites to win the newly created “Protector of the Year” award, which will be given to the top offensive lineman in football for the first time in 2025.
Outside of that, Dawkins is excited to see all the vibrant personalities in the Bills’ locker room finally get publicity. He noted that Will Greenberg — Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Bills — will be an “underrated star.”
“We got guys that are behind the scenes that have a large personality and keep us on point,” Dawkins said. “When they show their self, I think it’s just going to be like wow, this is why the Bills are why they are. These guys embrace the personality of the individuals.”
No matter what happens, it’s clear that the “Bills Mafia” will want to play part in the documentary as well. Dawkins made sure to acknowledge that part.
“The fans are going to do what they do,” he said. “You can never stop the Mafia, man.”
As a member of the Bills, the 31-year-old has been with the team since 2017. After appearing in the NFL Top 100 Players list in 2024, Dawkins was rewarded with a three-year, $60.5 million contract extension to keep him in Buffalo through the 2027 season.