BREAKING: Buffalo Bills confirm mind-blowing deal for another top experienced player after the signing of Micah Hyde
The Buffalo Bills announced that veteran safety would return to Western New York. For the time being, he is joining the practice squad to replace the recently released wide receiver Deon Cain.
The Buffalo Bills parted ways with more than a few veterans this offseason as they rebuilt their roster and appeared to be committed to a youth movement. Micah Hyde, a veteran, was one player with whom they did not expect to part ways. The 11-year safety has been with the Bills since 2017 and just let his contract expire.
Micah Hyde had previously stated that if he chose to return to the game, which he could do at any time because he had not filed retirement papers with the NFL, he could only envision himself in Buffalo’s red, white, and blue. On the other hand, Bills general manager Brandon Beane has stated unequivocally that contact channels with the All-Pro safety have always been open, and that he would be delighted to discuss a Hyde reunion.
These phone lines have now been cut, and the chats have come to an end, as Hyde prepares to catch a flight from California to Buffalo.
What teams had Micah Hyde played for?
Hyde began his career as a fifth-round draft pick by the Green Bay Packers. He signed with the Bills as a free agent, one of Brandon Beane’s first moves as general manager. Hyde flourished in Buffalo, launching his career with his first All-Pro vote and Pro Bowl selection in his debut season as a Bill. That season also marked the end of Buffalo’s 17-year playoff drought, establishing Hyde as an early fan favourite and locker room leader.
What is Micah Hyde’s injury history?
Hyde’s season ended in Week 2 of 2022, after a tackle on a Miami XXXX resulted in a neck injury that necessitated surgery. The cries of “23 in ’23” began, headed by Hyde’s wife, who promised the Buffalo town that the safety’s career was far from done. In reality, Buffalo opened his practice window so that he could play if the Bills went to the playoff championship round, but that didn’t happen because Buffalo fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the divisional round.
Hyde returned to play with the Bills in September 2023, starting 14 of their 17 games. Despite a few scares, he finished his return season with 54 tackles, 7 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions. Hyde had a pair of stinger injuries that were serious after undergoing neck surgery the previous year.
Micah Hyde considered retirement after the 2023 season
While he returned to play with the same zeal as before, it was clear that the injuries were forcing him to halt and reflect. When his contract expired in March, Hyde said he had some decisions to make about whether to hang up his cleats for good or try one more time for the championship that had eluded him throughout his career. It appears that he thought about it for nine months before making his decision.
What can we expect from Micah Hyde with the Bills in 2024?
While he hasn’t played football in eleven months and will undoubtedly need some work to be ‘football ready’, Hyde will make an impact in the locker room as a veteran voice in the defensive backs room and a true depth player as the Bills prepare for their sixth consecutive playoff appearance in January.
Damar Hamlin currently fills Hyde’s role, and while he is not Hyde, he does have the second-most tackles on the team (41), as well as five passes defenced, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery – figures that rival Hyde’s from 2023. However, Hamlin’s backup is youngster Cole Bishop, who is short on both experience and statistics.
It’s clear that Brandon Beane would want to have a little more confidence, experience, and a much bigger voice back there as the Bills prepare for the playoffs.
So Hyde joins the practice squad rather than the regular roster, and we’ll see how he progresses towards the postseason. Hyde’s cleats aren’t hanging up just yet.