BREAKING: Kaiir Elam throws shade at Buffalo Bills in first comments at press conference with Dallas media
Kaiir Elam made some pointed remarks about the Buffalo Bills during his introductory press conference with the Dallas Cowboys. Elam expressed excitement for a fresh start, claiming that the Bills had put him in the backseat during his time there.
He explained to the Dallas media, “When I arrived in Buffalo, I was a young player eager to improve, learn, and showcase my talents, but I was always sidelined.” He continued, “I kept working hard, making plays throughout the season and playoffs. I took everything I learned from that experience, including areas where I needed improvement, and used it to grow. I see it as a chance to shine elsewhere.”
While Elam felt sidelined by the Bills, his inability to surpass his competition at cornerback played a role in his lack of opportunities. Fellow rookie Christian Benford outperformed Elam during their initial training camps and preseason, and the gap between them has only grown. Benford has since become one of the league’s top young cornerbacks. Elam also struggled to surpass players like Rasul Douglas and Dane Jackson.
Despite being only 23 years old and the Bills facing a shortage at cornerback, the team ultimately decided to move on from Elam, trading him to Dallas along with a 2025 sixth-round pick in exchange for two future draft picks (a 2025 fifth-round and a 2026 seventh-round pick).
Elam hinted that part of his struggles in Buffalo may have been due to the coaching staff not fully believing in his abilities. Despite being under the guidance of defensive assistant John Butler, Elam failed to develop as expected. After Butler left, Jahmile Addae took over as cornerbacks coach, but Elam still found himself in a backup role.
In Dallas, Elam feels confident that he’ll get a “fair opportunity.” He said, “I believe this staff truly believes in me. They wouldn’t have made this move if they didn’t. All I want is the chance to come in, compete, and prove myself. I don’t need special treatment—just the chance to earn my spot.”
However, Elam’s path to playing time in Dallas might be tough. The Cowboys already have Daron Bland starting at one outside cornerback spot, and Trevon Diggs could take the other spot depending on how quickly he recovers from knee surgery.