Orchard Park, NY (Sports Network) - The Buffalo Bills made it official Monday
and re-signed cornerback/return specialist Leodis McKelvin to an undisclosed
contract.
Terms of the deal for the impending free agent were not disclosed, but the
Buffalo News on Saturday reported it to be a four-year deal worth more than
$20 million, of which $7.5 million will be guaranteed.
McKelvin has spent his entire five-year career in Buffalo after being taken by
the Bills with the 11th overall selection in the 2008 draft. The 27-year-old
is regarded as one of the league's premier punt returners and led the NFL with
an average of 18.7 yards per runback in that category this past season.
The Troy product also took back a franchise-record two punts for touchdowns in
2012 and has four return scores (3 punt, 1 kickoff) over the course of his
career.
"We're excited that Leodis remains on our roster," said Bills coach Doug
Marrone. "Obviously, he is one of the most exciting kick returners in the game
today, but we're also counting on him to be very competitive for the starting
corner position opposite Stephon Gilmore. We feel he could play an important
role in our defense moving forward."
As a defender, McKelvin recorded 21 tackles, one interception and three passes
defensed while starting four of 13 games last season. He has compiled six
picks and 30 passes defensed over 64 career contests.
The Sports Network