It was reported on Monday that Washington Commanders running back J.D. McKissic would be signing with the Buffalo Bills on a two-year, $7 million deal to presumably give quarterback Josh Allen yet another weapon to work with.
Former Washington RB J.D. McKissic intends to sign a two-year, $7 million deal with upside to $8 with the Buffalo Bills, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2022
However, it appears that McKissic has had a change of heart over the last 24 hours. Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that he will instead be re-signing with the Commanders for the same contract.
RB J.D. McKissic – who intended to sign a two-year, $7 million deal with the Buffalo Bills – changed his mind and is instead returning to Washington for the same compensation, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2022
This has gotten the NFL world talking, leaving many excited Commanders fans and equally upset Bills fans talking about his decision.
He really looked at playing with Josh Allen and a Super Bowl contender and then said nah I’m going to play for Snyder and his no quarterback-having team
— James D Koh (@JamesDKoh) March 16, 2022
J.D. McKissic: I'm signing with Buffalo
Also J.D. McKissic: pic.twitter.com/Tq6nwCpOsT
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 16, 2022
One day after choosing the Bills, RB J.D. McKissic is now reversing course and staying with Washington, source confirms (@AdamSchefter 1st)
Unreal. https://t.co/8qKkvsyBsC
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 16, 2022
J.D. McKissic's time in Buffalo pic.twitter.com/dZzB3lZard
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) March 16, 2022
J.D. McKissic getting off the plane in Cheektowaga:
(sorry it had to be done)
((prob didn't even fly to Buffalo))
(((nothing against Cheektowaga… I love Cheektovegas)))#Bills #Commanders pic.twitter.com/6zYoaVQgJz— Shawn Stepner (@StepnerWMAR) March 16, 2022
This isn’t the first time this offseason that we have seen a free-agent flip his decision on a team. Randy Gregory had a similar situation on Tuesday, first deciding to re-sign with the Dallas Cowboys only to go back on his decision to head to the Denver Broncos.
Many were excited to see Commanders running back Antonio Gibson as the full bell cow running back of the future, but it looks like he may be stuck in a timeshare with McKissic again going forward.
J.D. McKissic signed with the Bills for 24 hours solely so he could short Antonio Gibson in dynasty. Unbelievable, diabolical
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) March 16, 2022
The J.D. McKissic swerve back to the Commanders should have you wanting to stay far away from Antonio Gibson in 2022
Washington clearly values McKissic’s work as a pass-catcher out of the backfield on 3rd downs and in the two-minute offense
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) March 16, 2022
This is a big move for the Commanders considering the dual-threat that McKissic has been since his arrival in 2020. He has had at least 600 total yards in each of his two seasons in Washington, with much of his production coming as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
The running back will certainly be a solid target for new quarterback Carson Wentz in 2022, and this has to feel like a missed opportunity for the Bills to bring Josh Allen another impressive target next season.
