The Bills have added to their receiving corps, but more significantly, to their special teams unit. Buffalo has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with returner Deonte Harty, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that the contract has a base value of $9.5M with the potential to max out at $13.5M, and includes $5M guaranteed (Twitter link).
Harty spent the past four seasons in New Orleans, operating as the team’s kick and punt returner. As a rookie, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, demonstrating his potential in the third phase. Over the course of his first three years in the league, the 25-year-old racked up over 3,400 all-purpose yards as one of the top returners in the league.
The 5-6, 170-pounder played on the RFA tender in 2022-23, which earned him just under $4M for the campaign. Given his production on offense in 2021-22 -- a 36-570-3 receiving line -- Harty was said to be seeking a more long-term accord this offseason. Nothing materialized on that front, though, leading him to Buffalo on this new pact.
While Harty is unlikely to fill a consistent role on offense, he offers them a productive option in the return game. Buffalo used seven different kick returners during the past campaign before the midseason acquisition of Nyheim Hines gave them a proven producer for return purposes.
Hines is under contract for two more years and has re-worked his contract to lower his base salary this season. His compensation, along with that of Harty, shows how willing the Bills are to remain productive in the return game as they continue to tinker with their offense.
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