Isaiah McKenzie Brings Competitive Fire to Colts: HH Interview
When Isaiah McKenzie began his free-agent journey, he didn't have much background on the Indianapolis Colts.
"I didn't know much about Indy," McKenzie remembered. "I knew they had a good running back. I knew they had two good receivers that I've watched last year in (Michael) Pittman and (Alec) Pierce. And we played them a couple times in Buffalo."
After weighing his options – he revealed there were around seven or eight teams – McKenzie decided the Colts were for him as he signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal. As he began to get to know the organization better and talk to new head coach Shane Steichen, it didn't take McKenzie long to realize he was in the right place.
"Talking to (Steichen) a little bit and just picking his brain, getting a feel of how he wants the team to flow, how he wants things in the locker room, on the field, things like that ... Talking to him made me think about, 'Hey this might be the right decision after all.' The Colts are a good opportunity for me to be that WR3 behind Pierce and Pittman and just compete."
McKenzie is currently training down in Miami, Fla., until the Colts convene in Indianapolis to begin their offseason program on April 10. He took time out of his busy schedule to sit down for an interview with Horseshoe Huddle's Andrew Moore and Drake Wally to discuss a variety of topics. But one thing is clear: The Colts are getting a fiery competitor in McKenzie.
"I've been competing my whole career," McKenzie admitted. "And I feel like that's what I bring to this team. A sense of competitiveness like no other."
A fifth-round pick of the Denver Broncos back in 2017, the speedy and explosive McKenzie has had to compete to forge a career in the NFL. The wide receiver got off to a slow start with the Broncos, only playing in 12 games in a season and a half. McKenzie finished his Broncos tenure with four catches for 29 yards, as he spent most of his time on special teams.
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A change of scenery was needed, and after being waived by the Broncos, the Buffalo Bills picked up McKenzie in November 2018. McKenzie started as the primary kick returner with the Bills but climbed his way up to a much bigger role on offense. He began to form a connection with quarterback Josh Allen as he developed into the Bills' slot receiver. All the while, his competitive nature continued to burn.
"In Buffalo it was the same way," said McKenzie. "I had a guy like Stefon Diggs and he's very competitive. Very, VERY, competitive. Gabe Davis came along and he was competitive. Cole Beasley was a competitor. I had guys around me that were just like me. I feel like I can bring that to the (Colts) locker room, and let's see what happens with it."
McKenzie projects to be the starting slot receiver for the Colts. While it may seem like the differences between playing outside and in the slot are minimal, much more goes into the position. It takes a smart player to play in the slot and perform at a high level.
"The slot position is a little more detailed," he explained. "You've got to be a little more detailed because you're inside with linebackers, inside that box, and you've got to get open in small spaces ... You've just got to play with a little more savviness. It's more mental than it is physical."
McKenzie can also contribute on special teams as a returner. He has returned punts and kicks every year of his career, with one punt return for a touchdown in 2020. McKenzie wants to compete for the position in Indy and bring an electric factor as that returner.
"It's something I can excel at, and it's something I enjoy doing," he said regarding return duties. "I haven't had the best of moments sometimes, but who hasn't? Everybody has had their fair share of muffs and whatnot. It comes with the game. But I feel like I'm electric. I can do a lot of things back there on the punt return side and kick return side, and it's shown.
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"I want to do it and I'm going to compete for it. I know they're not just going to say 'Hey, this is your job.' No, I'm going to compete for that WR3 spot, that punt return, kick return spot, and I don't mind doing that."
The competitiveness McKenzie exudes will be a fantastic addition to the Colts' locker room. Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard have made it a point to express how they want to establish a competitive culture in the locker room, one where everyone gives it their all no matter the situation. While many people on the outside may not believe it, the culture of the locker room matters. McKenzie echoed that and hopes to add to that.
"What I bring to Indy is a good guy," McKenzie said. "Day to day, I'm on time, I show up in practice, I give you a tremendous amount of effort, competitiveness. We're going to bicker or whatever but nothing too crazy where it's like bad blood between the two of us. Just competitive juices flowing. That's on the field."
He continued, "And then in the locker room, in the meeting rooms, I'm holding people accountable, talking a little smack here and there just seeing where people's heads are. I'm a morning guy, I wake up in the morning and I'm ready to go. I'm good with the people around me, from janitors to everybody. I'm nice to everybody, I feel like that's just me. I feel like that's what made me a glue guy in Buffalo ... That's what I feel like I bring to Indy, and I can bring even more."
McKenzie was nicknamed the "Face of the Franchise" with the Bills because of his personality, competitiveness, and desire to help the organization in any way he could. While the Colts hope they find their new face of the franchise in their rookie quarterback, McKenzie exudes everything a team wants in that player.
Don't be surprised to see an explosive McKenzie making plays from the slot with a captain's "C" on his chest next fall. Colts fans, you're going to love this guy.
Check out the full interview with Colts' wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie on the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast below!
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