Why Isaiah McKenzie is Frontrunner for Buffalo Bills' Return Job

When we at Bills' Central last checked in with wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, he was working behind the counter and everywhere else at his newest business enterprise: La Traila Barbecue in Miami Lakes, Fla. That was in early July.

However, once training camp began, McKenzie had to leave the brisket behind to concentrate on his bread and butter, which is his ability to make opponents miss in the open field, particularly during punt and kick returns.

McKenzie enters this year, his fifth in the NFL, with his best chance to be a full-time returner since his rookie season in Denver, where he averaged 8.7 yards on 21 punt returns.

After the Bills picked him up on waivers early the next season, he didn't do enough in the return game to prevent them from acquiring All-Pro Andre Roberts in 2019.

But Roberts is gone now, a salary cap casualty, turning the spotlight back on McKenzie, who on Thursday was confirmed by special teams coordinator Heath Farwell as the frontrunner for the open job.

Fellow wide receivers Brandon Powell and Marquez Stevenson, a rookie out of Houston, also are in the mix.

What the Bills like about McKenzie is that he's done it before at the pro level.

The again, so has Powell.

McKenzie, though, was super against the Miami Dolphins in the final game of the 2020 regular season, taking a punt back 84 yards for a touchdown.

Isaiah McKenzie 84-yard punt return TD 🚨

(via @BuffaloBills)pic.twitter.com/1Y3DTrz7fg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 3, 2021

"He had a great return last season," Farwell said. "We've seen him in the past doing it, and there's nothing that shows any different now.

"He's a guy that I have to drag off the field every day after practice. ... He works his butt off, he cares, his mindset is there. He's in the driver's seat."

McKenzie appreciates his spot in the pecking order.

"It means a lot to me," he said. "It means the coaching staff, the guys upstairs, they'e got a lot of faith in me, and I don't want to let them down. I was behind Dre for two years. I learned a lot from him."

Boy is Isaiah McKenzie just fun to be around.

We've seen his personality shine, especially early here in #BillsCamp, highlighted by proclaiming himself the "Face of the Franchise."

It's all part of his growth since joining #Bills in 2018.

"I feel confident now." pic.twitter.com/CBpZS2lGQA
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) August 5, 2021

McKenzie is not one to brag, but he did say on Thursday that he believes he's the fastest player on the team, which also should help him in the long run.

Still, this position won't be determined for some time, Farwell cautioned. All three have to get the proper amount of chances in practice and preseason games, which are the only vehicles NFL teams truly have to evaluate special teams. Even franchises that feature tackling to the ground in camp don't go live with their return work.

But the battle is worth watching to the end because of the precious few roster spots believed to be available for wide receivers on this year's team.

Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley are coming off All-Pro seasons. And the Bills signed veteran Emmanuel Sanders (662 career receptions) in the offseason. Those players should be considered locks, unless the Bills believe that Beasley and his misinformed Twitter rants about the perils of the COVID-19 vaccine and his refusal to get it become too much of a distraction.

McKenzie told Bills Central in July that "I feel like I'm ready to take my role back, be the returner they want me to be, they need me to be, take that next step. Andre Roberts was a great returner. I learned a lot from him these past few years. So ... when I get my opportunities, I've just got to take advantage of them."

McKenzie has put that plan into action and now is running out in front.

Nick Fierro is the publisher of Bills Central. Check out the latest Bills news at www.si.com/nfl/bills and follow Fierro on Twitter at @NickFierro. Email to Nicky300@aol.com.

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