Isaiah McKenzie enters the 2021 season with an opportunity unlike one he’s ever had in the NFL.
Earlier this offseason, the Bills let kick returner Andre Roberts walk. The team expressed that there was a desire to re-sign the All-Pro, but a shrinking salary cap made it difficult.
Enter McKenzie, but he’s gone beyond that.
A shifty playmaker once assumed to be the next man up as a returner, he has impressed on offense as well. McKenzie’s change of direction abilities have not gone unnoticed while running routes.
If he keeps it up, McKenzie could turn into more than just a gadget player for the Bills.
But the reason for the show he’s put on doesn’t really come down to any workouts or training from this offseason. Instead, he’s just feeling good about himself.
“I feel like when I first got here, I was like a kid. I feel like I’ve grown up here… everything here has just developed me as a player and a man,” McKenzie said via press conference. “I feel like here, I just feel like… I feel confident now. My personality is just showing a lot more. That’s what I want to be.”
It also appears pretty clear why McKenzie is more confidence, too. Also chatting during Day 7 of Bills’ training camp on Thursday, special teams coordinator Heath Farwell more than pumped McKenzie’s tires.
“(McKenzie) is in the number one [kick returner] spot right now,” Farwell said. “We’ve seen him do it.”
While presumed to be the new returner, Buffalo didn’t just line themselves up to hand McKenzie the job. Others such as Brandon Powell and rookie Marquez Stevenson were brought in to compete with him.
Thus far, McKenzie has clearly pulled away in that return man battle.
While making sure he locks down that spot, McKenzie did reference a desire for an overall work increase next season. He said he’s fine with being a gadget player, but more duties at wideout would be welcomed by McKenzise, too.
“When I get my chance at receiver, I want to show them I can do that as well,” he said.
Regardless of workload, one can expect McKenzie to produce on offense in 2021. Last year, despite only 30 catches and 282 receiving yards, McKenzie had seven all-purpose touchdowns.
You find a space on the field for a player like that.
[lawrence-related id=84658,84653,84613,84638]