Percy Harvin is rejoining Rex Ryan, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.
Two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday that the wide receiver-kick returner is headed to Buffalo. He was released this month by the Jets after playing for Ryan last season in New York.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract was not officially announced.
Ryan, who became Bills coach soon after the Jets fired him in January, obviously was impressed by Harvin’s performance in his short time with New York.
The Jets acquired the versatile Harvin from Seattle last October and Harvin had 29 catches for 350 yards and a touchdown in eight games with the Jets. Then-general manager John Idzik obtained him, calling the move “a potential coup” for New York. Harvin also ran for 110 yards on 22 carries, and averaged 24.8 yards on 20 kickoff returns.
But he was due $10.5 million in base salary in 2015 and the Jets released him instead, saying they would like to have him back under a smaller contract.
Instead, Harvin heads to Buffalo.
The Bills will be his fourth NFL team. Minnesota’s first-round draft pick in 2009, Harvin was the Offensive Rookie of the Year with 60 receptions, 790 yards and six touchdowns. He spent four seasons with the Vikings before being dealt to Seattle for a 2013 first-round and a seventh-round draft choice, and a 2014 third-rounder.
Although Harvin had an outstanding Super Bowl, including an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to start the second half, he quickly wore out his welcome in Seattle. By last October, he was a Jet. Now, he’s a Bill.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
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AP Sports Writers John Wawrow and Dennis Waszak Jr. contributed to this report.