Buffalo Bills Defend Dalton Kincaid After Drop Sparks Online Criticism

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Games are never decided by a singular play. In the NFL, teams have 60 minutes to do what they need to do in order to come out on top. Every snap, drive, and quarter contributes to the end result.

However, sports fans love to single out moments as the reason for a win or loss. Unfortuantely, former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid fell victim to this fact after dropping a pass late in the AFC Championship on Sunday.

DALTON KINCAID WITH THE BIGGEST DROP OF HIS LIFE…pic.twitter.com/hmBkRMxKXM

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 27, 2025

If Kincaid made the catch, Buffalo would have moved the chains and had a chance to tie or take the lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

The Bills were unable to score on four of their nine drives with two three-and-outs and two turnovers on downs. But, if you asked most NFL fans on social media, the loss fell solely on Kincaid’s shoulders.

This reaction didn’t sit well with most of Kincaid’s teammates and many of them showed their support for the second-year tight end.

“I got to be better for him. I didn’t feel like I put him in enough good situations this year, ball-placement-wise,” Bills QB Josh Allen said. “He can sit there and think about that play over and over, but I got to be better for him. That’s what it comes down to. I know he’s been battling throughout the entire year, bumps and bruises, but he’s a tough sucker, and I got nothing but love for him. He’s going to be so much better next year. Let his body heal up, and I’m going to be better for him and I can promise you that.”

Most will never understand the heartache that these players and coaches feel in losses like the @BuffaloBills had today. Dalton Kincaid is an incredible person and a talent whose career will not be defined by one play and it’s awesome to see his teammates have his back! https://t.co/amBN6F9KB6

— Morgan Scalley (@RSNBUtes) January 27, 2025

Veteran tight end Dawson Knox also spoke highly of Kincaid and reiterated that the loss wasn’t the fault of any one player.

“Watching that play back, I mean he’s running full speed one direction. Josh had three guys in his face and just had to throw up a pop fly, and Dalton had to completely change directions and dive for the ball. The fact he even got contact on the ball is impressive,” Knox said. “I told him we wouldn’t have even been in that game if he wasn’t on this team. What he brings to this offense, the incredible weapon he is, I don’t know if we would’ve won the division without him. I don’t know if we would’ve made the playoffs without him. So, if he tries to shoulder this as his fault, I’ll probably just laugh at him like, ‘Dude, you’re acting crazy right now.'”

Kincaid’s stats took a slight hit in year two but he still made a big impact with 44 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns.

About Dalton Kincaid

Before his time at the University of Utah, the Las Vegas, Nevada native was a standout player at San Diego. Kincaid played for the Toreros from 2018-19. During his San Diego career, the tight end recorded over 1,000 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.

After playing two seasons at San Diego, Kincaid transferred to Utah after the 2019 season.

In his first season in Salt Lake City, the tight end saw limited action. In 2021, Kincaid helped the Utes with 36 catches for 510 yards and eight touchdowns.

In 2022, Kincaid broke out and hauled in 70 catches for 890 yards and eight touchdowns.

Found ourselves a playmaker. 😈 #NFLDraft@Ticketmaster | @_DaltonKincaid pic.twitter.com/6JpMTJ2PgH

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) April 28, 2023

At Utah, the tight end had a total of 107 receptions for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The offensive standout helped Utah capture back-to-back Pac-12 Conference titles in his final two seasons with the program. Utah had a 23-10 overall record with Kincaid on its roster.

The Buffalo Bills selected Kincaid with the No. 25 overall pick during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

In his rookie season, the former Ute had 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns. In two playoff games with the Bills, he caught eight passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.

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Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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