Before the start of free agency, the Buffalo Bills cut six veterans, including wide receiver Deonte Harty.
Last March, Harty signed a two-year contract with Buffalo worth $9.5 million. The All-Pro’s base pay for 2024 was $2.6 million, with a $5.7 million cap hit. The Bills made over $4 million from his dismissal.
A month later, Harty has found a new home in the NFL, and he’s thrilled. On April 10, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Harty would sign a one-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens. Harty sent a quick remark on X, now known as Twitter, following the announcement of the deal.
The kick returner, who grew up in Baltimore, is also getting a hometown discount. Harty signed a one-year, $1.29 million contract with the Ravens.
While Harty was never a valuable member of the Bills offence, he demonstrated his explosiveness against the Miami Dolphins in the regular season finale, breaking a franchise record with a 96-yard punt return touchdown that changed the tide of the game. The Bills eventually triumphed 21-14, securing the No. 2 slot and earning the AFC East championship.
The 26-year-old was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, but his success did not extend into the playoffs. Harty concluded the regular season with 15 receptions, 150 yards, and one touchdown. In two postseason games, he caught two of two passes for 37 yards.
Harty had no ill will towards Buffalo following his departure. He wrote on March 6: “Bills mafia!! It has been a pleasure. Thank you for welcoming me and my family! “Love always 💙🫶🏽.”
With Deonte Harty and Nyheim Hines out, the Bills still need to address special teams.
When the Bills released Harty, they also let go wide receiver Nyheim Hines, who will miss the whole 2023 season due to an offseason jet ski accident. The Bills saved about $4.6 million by cutting Hines, who later signed a one-year, $1.9 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.
With Harty and Hines gone, Buffalo must handle special teams, particularly after the league approved new kickoff rules for the 2024 NFL season.
Before the NFL adopted the new rules, Bills head coach Sean McDermott was aware of the potential impact on their offseason preparations. “When you look at the kickoff rule, if that goes through, you’re gonna need someone to occupy that spot – or maybe more than one,” McDermott told team reporter Patrick Warren.
Curtis Samuel, a wide receiver who recently signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Buffalo Bills, may fill that role. Samuel doubled as a kick returner for the Carolina Panthers in 2017 and 2018.
The Bills’ general manager, Brandon Beane, is receptive to the concept. “We see him as a guy that, yes, can line up in the backfield, can line up at receiver, gadgets, he could be a returner for us,” the coach added.
The Bills are expected to draft a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft.
Beane made it clear that they will not be relying just on the draft to get talent. “There are still veterans out there. “We’ll still look to see if there’s someone who fits,” Beane told reporters. “And even if we don’t get the player everyone wants in April, there are other options. We must remember that roster development is an ongoing process.”
“We don’t play games until September,” Beane explained. “I’m going to turn over every stone to add depth and competition.”
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