Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR 550) - The Buffalo Bills have kept another one of their pending free agents, re-signing wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie to a two-year deal, the team announced on Sunday.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the deal is worth a total of $8 million.
The 26-year-old McKenzie went into the year as the team’s primary kick and punt returner, but was used sparingly on offense. That was a head-scratcher for a lot of fans and media, considering the versatility he can bring.
After a horrible fumble on a kickoff return Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts, McKenzie was outright benched the following two games, replaced just four days later on Thanksgiving night by rookie Marquez Stevenson. He eventually got back into the lineup, but did not return a single punt until the team’s Week 18 finale against the New York Jets.
McKenzie saw a bit of an increase in offensive usage over the final five regular season games and exploded with an 11-catch, 125-yard performance against the New England Patriots the day after Christmas, filling in for Cole Beasley.
Outside of that game, he grabbed just nine passes for 53 yards, finishing the season with a total of only 20 catches for 178 yards. He also ran nine times for 47 yards and a touchdown. The Miami, Florida native had a combined six touches for 92 yards in the Bills' two playoff games.
McKenzie was in the same situation last year as an unrestricted free agent, but ultimately re-signed on a one-year deal.
He’s the second Bills receiver in four days to re-sign rather than hit free agency, joining Jake Kumerow, who inked a one-year deal on Thursday to return to Buffalo.
Follow me on Twitter: @SalSports
