The Buffalo Bills are bringing back scores of their own players on team-friendly deals.
That can only mean one thing: Buffalo has firmly established itself as one of the NFL’s top destinations. This is what it feels like to be a Super Bowl contender.
Super gadget receiver Isaiah McKenzie is the latest Bills stalwart to come back, agreeing to a one-year deal with the team on Tuesday. The speedster was generating interest elsewhere around the league, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Chicago Bears were among the teams after the 25-year-old wideout.
With limited cap space, McKenzie didn’t take the big bucks to stay in Buffalo, signing for $1.15 million according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Instead, he elected to remain part of an offense in which he’s flourished. Last season, he caught five touchdowns while primarily working as a decoy for the No. 2 passing offense in the league.
In the season finale, McKenzie ripped off three touchdowns, including an 84-yard punt return.
McKenzie is the kind of luxury piece that championship teams attract. While the New England Patriots are spending free agency feverishly trying to add players and rebuilding their roster, the Bills are quietly bringing back their complimentary pieces.
We’ve already seen multiple veterans return on discounted deals, including safety Micah Hyde, who agreed to an average salary that’s just a $3.5 million increase from his original contract with Buffalo.
Just like Hyde, linebacker Matt Milano could’ve further explored his options on the open market, but said he wanted to be part of the culture that’s brewing here.
“I just told my agent, ‘I love Buffalo. I want to be in Buffalo. I love what they got going on there and see if we can make something happen,'" Milano said after signing his four-year contract extension. “I think that’s what we did. It was a fair deal kind of for both sides. The culture that’s brewing there right now is unreal. We got a little taste of it last year and the past four years. It’s something that I want to continue on for the next four years.”
Daryl Williams, Andre Smith, Jon Feliciano. The list of players who have re-upped with Buffalo continues on. The credit goes to head coach Sean McDermott, who’s built a top-notch operation along with general manager Brandon Beane. When players sign with Buffalo, they know they’ll be used correctly. Look no further than Emmanuel Sanders, who professed his admiration for Buffalo’s offense in his introductory Zoom conference call.
Like most NFL fans, Sanders was impressed with Buffalo’s high-flying attack. McKenzie thrived as Josh Allen’s decoy last season. He wants to run it back, just like everybody else.
