Key Highlights
- Rex Ryan says the Buffalo Bills planned to select Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft before Ryan was fired.
- Kansas City traded up to the 10th pick and selected Mahomes, while Buffalo later acquired Tre’Davious White and Josh Allen.
- The Chiefs have since added Josh Downs to give Mahomes another receiving option ahead of a possible playoff meeting with Buffalo.
Rex Ryan Says Bills Planned to Draft Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes might have become the face of the Buffalo Bills rather than the Kansas City Chiefs if Rex Ryan had remained in charge before the 2017 NFL Draft. Ryan has revealed that he and Bills owner Terry Pegula were determined to select Mahomes after watching the quarterback produce eye-catching performances for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Buffalo held the 10th overall pick, placing the team in a strong position to secure its preferred quarterback. However, Ryan was dismissed before the draft, and the Bills ultimately negotiated with Kansas City after the Chiefs made an aggressive move up the draft board.
Ryan, who coached Buffalo for two seasons before his dismissal, said he strongly believed in Mahomes and insisted the Bills would not have considered trading the pick if he had remained in charge.
“And so one day, I’m watching Texas Tech play Oklahoma,” Ryan told the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. “And I’m like ‘Oh my, oh my God. That’s the best freaking player I’ve ever seen in my life.’ It’s the quarterback at Texas Tech. It’s Patrick Mahomes.
“Here’s the crazy thing. It was unreal. So I’m like, ‘Oh my God.’ And we even had the conversation that we were going to take him in the first round. Okay, I get fired. And I mean, there’s no way they would have talked us off of this because literally Terry and I absolutely wanted this guy. They have the 10th pick. Guess what happens?
“Kansas City trades to the 10th spot and takes Terry’s guy. And so Patrick Mahomes, even though Deshaun Watson was out there and all that, and he had played with my son, great player. But no, and he’s out there, and sure enough, they took him.
“So, if I would have been there, we ain’t trading that pick. We’re taking Patrick Mahomes. Now, ironically, it works out great for him because they ended up getting a really good player, Tre’Davious White.
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“And the very next year, they trade up and get Josh Allen. So it worked well for him in hindsight, but I promise you, if I would have been there, Patrick Mahomes would have been a Bill.”
How the 2017 Draft Worked Out for Buffalo and Kansas City
The trade ultimately benefited both franchises. After moving down from the 10th pick, Buffalo selected cornerback Tre’Davious White at No. 27. The Bills later traded their own 2018 first-round selection and two second-round picks to move up for Josh Allen.
Allen went on to win the 2024 NFL MVP award, while Mahomes has collected three Super Bowl championships and three Super Bowl MVP honors with Kansas City. Both organizations now have quarterbacks widely regarded as among the best players in the sport.
Buffalo has remained a contender with Allen but has repeatedly fallen short against Mahomes in the playoffs. Ryan’s hypothetical alternative remains significant: the Bills could have selected Mahomes while potentially retaining the picks that helped them acquire White and Allen.
Chiefs Add Josh Downs as Another Mahomes Target
Nearly a decade later, Mahomes remains the centerpiece of the Chiefs’ organization, and general manager Brett Veach continues to look for ways to strengthen the supporting cast around him.
Kansas City recently addressed its pass-catching needs by acquiring wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs sent a fourth-round selection and a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft to Indianapolis and received Downs and a seventh-round pick in return.
The move gives Mahomes another dependable option after injuries disrupted Kansas City’s receiving depth. It could also help set up another postseason meeting between the Chiefs and Bills, with the two teams continuing to compete for position in the AFC.
Why This Matters
Ryan’s comments highlight how dramatically one decision can reshape the NFL. Buffalo was in position to select Mahomes, but a coaching change altered the team’s draft plans. Kansas City’s trade up created the foundation for a quarterback-led era that has produced three Super Bowl championships and three Super Bowl MVP awards.
Buffalo’s later move for Josh Allen also produced a franchise quarterback and kept the Bills among the AFC’s leading contenders. The addition of Josh Downs shows that Kansas City is still focused on improving the roster around Mahomes, particularly after injuries affected the team’s receiving options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Buffalo Bills plan to draft Patrick Mahomes?
According to Rex Ryan, he and Terry Pegula intended to select Mahomes with Buffalo’s 10th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ryan was fired before the draft took place.
Who did the Bills acquire after trading down?
Buffalo selected Tre’Davious White at No. 27 after moving down from the 10th pick. The Bills later traded up for Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL Draft.
What did the Chiefs trade for Josh Downs?
Kansas City sent a fourth-round selection and a fifth-round selection in the 2027 NFL Draft to the Indianapolis Colts. The Chiefs received Josh Downs and a seventh-round pick.
