Bills Re-Sign WR Isaiah McKenzie
The Bills have agreed to terms on a new two-year contract with wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal is reportedly worth $8MM, the biggest payday McKenzie has seen in his five-year career. 
McKenzie was picked up by the Bills off waivers after being waived by the Broncos, who drafted him in the 5th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. After finishing out that initial contract in Buffalo, he rode out two one-year deals in 2020 and 2021 worth around $1MM each.
His first year in Buffalo saw him used as the primary kick returner and a bit of a gadget player on offense, receiving and helping out in the rushing game after injuries to running backs LeSean McCoy and Chris Ivory. In his first full season as a Bill, his returner role was diminished with the addition of Andre Roberts, but he continued as a special teamer and gadget player, even contributing in Week 17 as a reserve cornerback.
After re-signing on his first one-year deal in Buffalo, McKenzie saw his most productive season in 2020. McKenzie saw career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (282), and receiving touchdowns (5). He also recorded his first special teams touchdown on an 84-yard punt return.
The 2021 NFL season didn’t see a large change in McKenzie’s offensive production, but he re-cemented his role as the team’s return specialist, which appears to be the basis for his new contract. McKenzie did see his role on the offense increase a bit when Cole Beasley missed time due to COVID-19.
With star-receiver Stefon Diggs and Beasley set to return, along with Gabriel Davis who emerged as the team’s third receiver for the future, this signing gives the Bills a solid one through four in their receiving corps, with McKenzie set to continue handling return duties.
Cowboys Likely To Trade Or Release OL La’el Collins
3/13/22, 3:28pm: According to some updated information from ESPN’s Ed Werder, at least six teams have shown interest in Collins. It’s unclear whether any teams are eager enough to trade for him or whether they will wait to bid for his services upon his release.
3/12/22, 9:04am: It sounds like La’el Collins‘ stint with the Cowboys has effectively come to an end. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter), the organization has given the right tackle permission to seek a trade. If the team can’t find a trade partner, they’ll likely release the offensive lineman.
While the team would only save $1.3MM on their 2022 books by releasing or trading Collins, they could save $10MM if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut (per ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Twitter). The front office will have to juggle the financial advantages of waiting vs. any enticing offers they may receive.
Due to off-field allegations and threats of a holdout from his agent, Collins went undrafted during the 2015 draft. However, after catching on with the Cowboys, it didn’t take the lineman all that long to emerge as a dependable starter. While he had issues staying on the field during his first two seasons in the NFL, Collins started all but one game for Dallas between 2017 and 2019.
However, Collins didn’t appear to be a favorite of the Mike McCarthy-led staff. As ESPN’s Todd Archer notes on Twitter, the new Cowboys staff never “seemed to be a fan of Collins,” and it could have been attributed to a missed season in 2020 due to injury and a suspension in 2021. Upon returning to the team, Collins didn’t immediately get his starting gig back, although he did end up starting 10 of his 12 games last season.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/13/22
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Denver Broncos
- Re-Signed: OT Calvin Anderson
Patriots Tender Jakobi Meyers
The Patriots will use the second-round restricted free agent tender on wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, agent Drew Rosenhaus tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). In a related move, they’ve elected not to tender fullback Jakob Johnson. 
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Per the terms of this year’s second-round tender, Meyers will be retained on a one-year, $3.986MM deal. However, if another team pries him away, the Patriots will receive a second-round pick in exchange.
Johnson, meanwhile, could have been cuffed at the lowest-level RFA tender, which would have paid him $2.433MM. It’s still possible that he could return to the Patriots, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) hears, though it’d be a lower salary.
Meyers began his career at North Carolina State as a quarterback, before moving to wide receiver as a sophomore. In his third year on campus, he put himself on the NFL radar with 63 grabs for 727 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with 92/1,047/5, but still went undrafted.
The Pats saw something in him, however, and he’s blossomed into one of their best offensive weapons. Last year, Meyers set new pro watermarks with 83 catches for 866 yards and two touchdowns.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/13/22
The deadline for teams to extend tender offers to their restricted free agents and exclusive rights free agents looms next week. We’ll keep tabs on the latest here:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Seahawks: G Phil Haynes
Non-Tendered:
- Colts: DT Taylor Stallworth
ERFAs
Tendered:
Non-Tendered:
Broncos, Andrew Beck Agree To Extension
The Broncos have agreed to a new one-year deal with fullback/tight end Andrew Beck (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Beck was set to be a restricted free agent, so it sounds like this new pact will replace his would-be tender. 
[RELATED: Latest On Broncos’ Offseason Plans]
The Broncos plan to use Beck in more of a hybrid role going forward, giving him an opportunity to clear rushing lanes and, perhaps, get a few more touches. Beck first broke into the league with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of UT, moving from tight end to fullback. After that, he was claimed by the Broncos where he saw a full 16-game slate in 2019. That year, Beck reeled in nine grabs for 90 yards and one touchdown. Beck has yet to record a carry or reception since then, but he’s suited up for 38 games in total as a reserve and special teams player.
Beck, 26 in May, could be joined by some marquee pass rushers and offensive linemen in the coming weeks. The Broncos currently have around $23MM in cap room and old pal Von Miller has hinted that he’d be interested in returning to Denver.
Texans Sign T Cedric Ogbuehi
The Houston Texans will reportedly sign offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi to a one-year deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Ogbuehi has become a bit of journeyman over the past couple of years as he’s set to join his sixth NFL team. 
Ogbuehi was a first-round pick for the Bengals in the 2015 NFL Draft. After having his fifth-year option declined, Ogbuehi played a year each in Jacksonville and Seattle. He re-signed with the Seahawks for the 2021 season, but was placed on injured reserve before the season began and was released shortly after coming off IR. Ogbuehi signed with the Ravens, appearing in two games before getting released, and spent two days after that on the Titans’ practice squad.
Ogbuehi will find a familiar face in Houston, who just hired George Warhop a few weeks ago to coach their offensive line. Ogbuehi worked with Warhop when he played for the Jaguars in 2019.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/12/22
Here are today’s minor roster moves around the NFL:
Miami Dolphins
- Re-Signed: DB Elijah Campbell
New York Giants
- Released: P Riley Dixon
Steelers Re-Sign CB Maulet
The Steelers tied up one of their loose ends before the start of free agency this week, signing cornerback Arthur Maulet to a new two-year deal, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Maulet signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2017, spending most of his time in New Orleans on the practice squad but appearing in six games. After being waived in 2018, the Colts claimed Maulet off waivers. He played five games in Indianapolis, earning his first career start, before getting waived and re-signed to the Saints’ practice squad.
Maulet signed a reserve/future contract in 2019 with the Jets. In New York, Maulet started 11 games over two years splitting time at cornerback and strong safety. He recorded his first career interceptions in New York, reeling in one each year there, and recorded his first career sack in 2020.
In May 2021, the Steelers signed Maulet to a one-year, $990,000 deal. Maulet appeared in all but one game last year for the Steelers, earning two starts at cornerback. Maulet adds some much needed depth to the cornerback’s room in Pittsburgh, rejoining starter Cameron Sutton and back ups Tre Norwood, James Pierre, and Justin Layne. Starting cornerback Joe Haden and key back up Ahkello Witherspoon are also on their way to free agency.
Titans, P Kern Rework Contract
With Titans’ punter Brett Kern heading into the final year of his contract, he’s agreed to terms with Tennessee to take about a $1MM pay cut, according to Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter). The longtime Titan was set to earn $3.2MM to complete a four-year, $12.65MM deal, but will now make $2.2MM for the 2022 NFL season. 
The 14-year veteran is Tennessee’s longest-tenured player and has spent all but one of his NFL seasons in Tennessee after signing as an undrafted free agent in Denver. There are only four punters older than Kern and only Sam Koch, Andy Lee, and Dustin Colquitt have been in the league longer.
The three-time Pro Bowler’s play has dipped a bit in recent years. Since it’s mostly a result of the team’s offensive ability and a more successful offense can lower the number of a punter’s opportunities, it can be hard to truly gauge a punter’s play. Still, Kern pinned the opposing team’s offense inside the 20-yard line only 18 times last year, his lowest season total since his rookie season as a Bronco. He also missed three games for the second consecutive year.
Kern’s initial salary of $3.2MM would’ve made him the highest paid punter in the 2022 season (before Jake Bailey‘s proven performance bonus). With the updated number down to $2.2MM, Kern ranks as the ninth-highest paid punter for the upcoming year. The extra $1MM for Tennessee will grant them a bit of wiggle room for cap spending.