Harty signing cleared way for Bills to cut McKenzie

Deonte Harty Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Deonte Harty signing cleared way for Bills to cut Isaiah McKenzie

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/17/23

Although he was due a $250,000 roster bonus on Friday, that’s likely not the reason the Buffalo Bills cut receiver Isaiah McKenzie.

The move clears $2.76 million in cap room and opens the door for recent free-agent signing Deonte Harty, who has a similar skill set and similar build (he’s 5-foot-6, 170 pounds, and McKenzie is 5-foot-8, 173 pounds), to step into the role McKenzie has occupied since 2018.

I could write a book about how much i love this place, but I’ll just say THANK YOU ❤️ https://t.co/FzrAEHDvfU
— Isaiah McKenzie (@_IsaiahMcKenzie) March 17, 2023

McKenzie joined the Bills in 2018 after a season-plus stint with the Denver Broncos. He set career highs in 2022 with 42 receptions, 65 targets and 423 yards.

During his Bills tenure, the 27-year-old wideout totaled 137 receptions for 1,345 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed 42 times for 230 yards and four touchdowns while returning 35 punts for 322 yards and a score plus 47 kick returns for 1,062 yards.

Harty, 25, did much of the same in New Orleans, contributing 64 receptions for 793 yards and four touchdowns while returning 77 punts for 752 yards and a touchdown plus 75 kick returns for 1,907 yards. He led the NFL in punt returns (36) and punt return yardage (338) in 2019.

McKenzie’s release coupled with Jamison Crowder and Cole Beasley hitting free agency, the Buffalo receiver room now consists of Harty, Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Khalil Shakir, Isaiah Coulter, KeeSean Johnson and Dezmon Patmon.

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