BREAKING: Bills Named Best Fit to Add Veteran Safety With ‘Outstanding’ Production
The Buffalo Bills experienced a significant shake-up in their secondary this offseason, parting ways with longtime safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, who were instrumental both on and off the field.
To mitigate these losses, the Bills selected Utah safety Cole Bishop in the second round of the draft. However, one analyst believes they could benefit from adding another veteran to their roster. Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team proposed that the Bills might be an ideal destination for two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons, who is currently a free agent after being released by the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason.
“While the Bills are optimistic about Bishop, expecting him to start from Day 1 on a Super Bowl–contending team might be unrealistic. He would be better suited as a No. 3 safety, at least in his rookie year,” Mosher wrote.
“The best safety available on the market is Justin Simmons, who was released by the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason. Simmons is an exceptional athlete with remarkable ball production, having recorded 30 interceptions since 2016.”
Justin Simmons Called ‘Clear Upgrade’ for Bills
Mosher suggested that Simmons could provide an immediate boost to a Bills secondary that has undergone significant changes, serving as a stop-gap that allows the team to ease Bishop into the lineup.
“He isn’t quite as dynamic as he was earlier in his career and will turn 31 during the 2024 season, but he is a clear upgrade for the Bills,” Mosher wrote. “He would be a welcome addition to a young safety room that could use some leadership. Simmons isn’t a long-term solution, but he would be an excellent stop-gap option until Bishop is ready to take the job.”
Simmons is coming off a season in which he earned Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors, recording 70 total tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass defenses. He has also shown remarkable durability, appearing in at least 15 games in six of the last seven seasons and at least 12 games in all eight of his NFL seasons.
Potential Return for Micah Hyde
There is still a possibility that the Bills could seek veteran leadership from a familiar face in their secondary. During a May appearance in Buffalo for his charity softball tournament, Hyde addressed his future plans with reporters.
Micah Hyde says it's #Bills or retire for him.
(via @WKBW)#BillsMafia | #BuiltInBuffalo pic.twitter.com/S6CliEW8YC
— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) May 16, 2024
“It’s Bills or retire,” the All-Pro safety said on May 16, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550.
The Bills are open to Hyde’s return as well, with general manager Brandon Beane expressing the team’s readiness once Hyde makes a final decision on retirement.
“Bills GM Brandon Beane said he doesn’t think Micah Hyde has ‘shut the door’ on playing and that the Bills ‘definitely wouldn’t shut the door to ever bringing a Micah Hyde back if he decides to play,’ ” ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg wrote on X. “Beane emphasized that he doesn’t know if Hyde is decided either way right now.”
Additionally, the Bills have bolstered their safety position by signing veteran Mike Edwards in free agency.