The Buffalo Bills play on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings one day before the 2026 NFL trade deadline.

There are a few positions worth monitoring for the Bills, including the defensive line. But one position has emerged as an area where Buffalo's front office is "scanning" the market for help.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Bills are scanning the safety trade market after getting beat by their top AFC competition in the Jacksonville Jaguars landing the best safety available this season in Jessie Bates.

Bills scan trade market for safety help as Jaguars land top option

"Jaguars swung big at safety but aren't only ones in that market," Fowler reports. "Bills have scanned the safety pool of late."

With the Jaguars landing Bates, maybe the best safety available for trade this season, Buffalo has missed out on a chance for a major upgrade.

Even worse, maybe their top competition for the AFC's top seed was able to land the star safety from the Atlanta Falcons this season.

But there are a few other options for the Bills to consider. Budda Baker from the Arizona Cardinals would be a great get, as would Amani Hooker from the Tennessee Titans.

MORE: Jaguars reportedly acquiring Falcons' Pro Bowl safety in major trade

While it would likely cost a good amount to land either safety, and neither is guaranteed to be traded this season, the Bills might be trying to acquire either.

After getting beat by the Jaguars to the punch in the Bates' sweepstakes, which could be in part due to how the Bills have yet to play in Week 9, they're now in pursuit of some other safety options.

Buffalo needs help on its defense if they want to seriously contend this season. Josh Allen is incredible, and there's reason to believe this team can win it all.

But upgrading the safety room should be at the top of the Bills' priorities at the 2026 NFL trade deadline. If the Bills can land Baker or Hooker, they could get a star safety despite getting beat to the punch by the Jaguars.

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