The Miami Dolphins’ rivalry with the Buffalo Bills is likely to hit new heights this season, and Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins is wasting no time providing some bulletin board material for Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
Bills LT Dion Dawkins talking about the AFC East on @TheHerd
“I’m not a huge fan of (Christian) Wilkins … chirper.”
Week 4 can’t come soon enough😅 pic.twitter.com/ccaztywT9U
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) July 12, 2023
“I’m not a huge fan of Wilkins — trench battles and just trench battle stuff,” he explained. “… Chirper on the field — off the field, it’s just a different dude. … But respectful, I respect ball.”
Dawkins is wise to respect Wilkins, who recently drew praise from a high-ranking NFL official and is often mentioned among the best defensive tackles in the league. The 27-year-old’s play also speaks for itself, with his 98 combined tackles in 2022 the most by an NFL defensive lineman since 1994.
The University of Clemson product is drawing headlines this offseason as he could be in line for a lucrative contract extension, which may also be getting under Dawkins’ skin.
Wilkins had one sack and four combined tackles in Miami’s 34-31 playoff loss to Buffalo last season. In two regular season meetings, he had 10 combined tackles but did not have a sack.
Since arriving in the NFL for the 2019 season as a first-round pick, Wilkins hasn’t recorded a sack in any of his eight regular season games against the Bills, and the Dolphins have gone 1-7 in those games, which doesn’t really give him much to chirp about.
But the Dolphins may be gaining on the Bills on the field, and the teams are expected to battle it out with the New England Patriots and New York Jets this season in what could be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL.
The Dolphins and Bills reportedly may be going at it in the free agent market as well, as both teams have been linked to Dalvin Cook.
The Miami native reportedly is not willing to accept the Dolphins’ current contract offer, keeping the Bills and the rest of the NFL in play for his services. Buffalo does have the enticement of Cook’s brother James and the chance for the running backs to share a backfield.
Dawkins has made the Pro Bowl in two straight seasons and clearly has no problem chirping about other players. As the season goes on, fans can expect the back-and-forth to continue and only get more heated.
