Predicting which Buffalo Bills training camp storylines will impact season

Isaiah McKenzie earning a starting role

The position battle to determine the starting slot receiver may already be over with the way Isaiah McKenzie has started training camp. The Bills decided to make a switch this offseason by releasing Cole Beasley and bringing back Isaiah McKenzie with a two-year contract. However, they also signed veteran slot receiver Jamison Crowder to a one-year deal.

The problem is that Crowder has missed a majority of training camp with an injury and with him out McKenzie has been making consistently making plays at practice, like this one from earlier this week.

How will this impact the regular season?

Entering training camp, it seemed like Jamison Crowder was the favorite to be the starter with Isaiah McKenzie seeing some snaps at the spot. However, at this point the roles are probably reversed or even more, McKenzie is the full-time starter and the responsibilities won’t be split.

On Tuesday, head coach Sean McDermott seemed to indicate that it is the direction it is heading when he mentioned the fact that McKenzie is “potentially stepping into a full-time role.”

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If Isaiah McKenzie does win the starting job, it is going to make the offense that more dynamic because he has more speed and quickness than Cole Beasley or Jamison Crowder. The game last year against the New England Patriots, or even going back to 2020 when he got the start against the Miami Dolphins, are perfect examples of what he can bring to this offense.