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J.D. McKissic backs out of two-year, $7 million Bills deal to re-sign with Commanders

Randy Gregory won't be the only NFL free agent to pull out of a previously reported deal this offseason.

Free agent running back J.D. McKissic, formerly of the Washington Commanders, was reported on Tuesday to be signing a two-year, $7 million deal with the Buffalo Bills. The move seemingly made sense for both sides, with Buffalo adding a versatile pass-catching running back on a cheap deal and McKissic making the move to a contender, which the Commanders obviously are not.

One day later, however, McKissic was reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter to have changed his mind. He will reportedly return to Washington for a contract with the same terms.

Why did J.D. McKissic have a change of heart?

The reversal comes just a day after a similar story played out with Washington's rival. The Dallas Cowboys were reported to be re-signing prized pass-rusher Randy Gregory to a five-year, $70 million deal, only to have the player rescind the agreement and agree to a contract with the Denver Broncos.

The reason for the two changes of heart were reportedly very different though. In Gregory's case, he was incensed that the Cowboys tried introducing language into his contract he had not agreed to, while McKissic backed out because Washington offered him a deal only after he agreed to terms with the Bills.

So Washington's chicanery helped it keep a player, while Dallas' drove its target away.

McKissic's move is odd considering it's not every day you see a player go to significant lengths to stay in Washington, where the team sees regular intra-organization feuds, hasn't won a playoff game since 2005 and is inundated with scandals, whereas the Bills are widely expected to compete for the Super Bowl next year.

McKissic has clearly enjoyed his two seasons with the Commanders, in which he has posted 986 receiving yards, 577 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He'll be working with a new quarterback this upcoming season after the team acquired Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts.

Washington Football Team running back J.D. McKissic (41) against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
J.D. McKissic wants to stay in Washington. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)