Bills Agree To Terms With WR Deonte Harty

The Bills have added to their receiving corps, but more significantly, to their special teams. Buffalo has agreed to terms on a two-year deal with returner Deonte Harty, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds that the contract has a base value of $9.5MM with the potential to max out at $13.5MM, and includes $5MM guaranteed (Twitter link).

Harty has spent the past four seasons in New Orleans, operating as the team’s kick and punt returner. As a rookie, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, demonstrating his potential in the third phase. Over the course of his first three years in the league, the 25-year-old racked up over 3,400 all-purpose yards as one of the top returners in the league.

The 5-6, 170-pounder signed played on the RFA tender in 2022, which earned him just under $4MM. Given his production on offense in the previous year (36 catches, 570 yards, three touchdowns), he was said to be seeking a more long-term accord in the offseason. Nothing materialized on that front, though, leading him to Buffalo on this new pact.

The Bills are thought to be in the market for an addition to their receiving corps to help compliment Stefon Diggs. While Harty is unlikely to fill a consistent role on offense, he can give them a productive option in the return game. Buffalo used seven different kick returners in 2022, though the midseason acquisition of Nyheim Hines gave them a proven producer in the third phase.

Hines is under contract for two more years, and re-worked his contract to lower his base salary this season. His compensation, along with that of Harty, shows how willing the Bills are to remain productive in the return game as they continue to re-shape their offense.