In 2018, the Buffalo Bills used a combination of Ray-Ray McCloud III, Isaiah McKenzie, and Marcus Murphy to handle a majority of their punt and kickoff returns. When McCloud was released after multiple fumbles, even starting safety Micah Hyde ended up fielding punts. Obviously, using such an important part of the defense to handle punt return duties isn’t ideal, so the Bills looked to upgrade their return game in 2019.
That aim was a success, as their designated return man made the Pro Bowl in 2019, albeit as an alternate when Mecole Hardman of the Kansas City Chiefs couldn’t participate due to his team’s involvement in the Super Bowl.