Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie is a restricted free agent heading into the 2020 offseason. That means the Bills have rights to him if they choose, but that comes at a price. McKenzie, who just completed his third NFL season, could be in line to test the open market in a couple months.
As a restricted free agent, the Bills can tender an offer to McKenzie that would ensure they get some return on their investment. If they sign McKenzie to a one-year, approximately $2.15 million RFA tender, he could negotiate with other teams. If he signed a bigger contract, Buffalo would then get the option of matching it or they would receive a fifth-round pick from McKenzie’s new team. (McKenzie was originally drafted in the fifth round.)
I find it very hard to believe that the Bills would be willing to pay $2 million for McKenzie’s skill set, however. He did haul in 27 catches (including the jet sweep shovel passes) for 254 yards and add eight runs for 49 more yards. That makes him a unique part of the team’s offense, but most fans and media expect an overhaul at wide receiver. That overhaul could force out McKenzie as they try to find touches potentially for a new running back, receiver, and maybe try to get the tight ends involved even more.
So here’s the million-dollar question. What is McKenzie worth?
The league minimum for McKenzie is $735,000 and a $95,000 signing bonus. The RFA tender is $2.15 million. Both are one-year contracts.
If it’s me, I am probably not going beyond the league minimum deal. They have Ray-Ray McCloud III—who has played in the NFL before—if they want that shifty receiver. I wouldn’t pay double for McKenzie.
What do you think?
Poll
What should the Bills do with Isaiah McKenzie’s contract this offseason?
This poll is closed
-
21%
Tender him as an RFA for $2.15 million
(207 votes) -
48%
Offer him league minimum of $735,000
(472 votes) -
12%
Sign him to a multi-year extension in the $2 million per year range
(124 votes) -
17%
Don’t offer him a contract and let him walk
(165 votes)