Former All-Pro Micah Hyde on his future: ‘It’s Bills or retire’

Buffalo fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as they will never have to worry about seeing stalwart safety Micah Hyde wearing another NFL club’s uniform.

The fanbase, in fact, could see the veteran donning the iconic “Charging Buffalo” helmet again before long.

Hyde, who started 95 games at safety for the Buffalo Bills during his seven years with the team, left the franchise this offseason as a free agent, with his release coinciding with the releases of Jordan Poyer and Tre ‘Davious White to create a mass exodus in Buffalo’s secondary.

Related: 2024 NFL Release Schedule Recap: Everything you need to know about the Bills’ 2024 roster

The 33-year-old is yet to sign with a new team, however, with this inaction not driven by a lack of interest, but a lack of certainty. Hyde has not yet determined whether he will play another season; If he returns for his 12th professional campaign, it will be with the Bills.

While speaking to the media ahead of the annual Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game (scheduled this year for May 19 at Sahlen Field), the two-time All-Pro said he is not interested in finishing his career elsewhere – if he plays next. year, it will be in Buffalo.

“It’s Bills or retire,” Hyde said, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR550. The reporter also tweeted that the defensive back said there was “no urgency” in determining his playing future.

While Hyde still played at a high level throughout the 2023 NFL season to the tune of 54 tackles, seven pass deflections and two interceptions, his uncertainty is understandable; He missed the vast majority of the 2022 season after suffering a neck injury in a Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans, an illness the veteran described as an “eye-opening” experience that took him to recontextualize football now that he is a husband and father.

He returned for the 2023 season but once again missed games throughout the year, suffering several knocks during the campaign. He officially became a free agent in March, with the emotional letter to Bills Mafia shared by his wife on social media leading many to believe the player was leaving not only Buffalo, but the league as a whole.

Hyde, if he were to return, would bring schematic and big-league experience to a Buffalo secondary that was revamped during the offseason. The team, given the offseason departures of Hyde and Poyer, currently projects to have two new starting safeties for the first time since the 2017 NFL season; Recently re-signed Taylor Rapp, free agent signee Mike Edwards and second-round pick Cole Bishop are the top names in the competition.

Hyde, if brought back, would not only help Buffalo’s defensive backfield maintain some (potentially desired) continuity, but he could also serve as an on and off-field mentor to Bishop, who the Bills hope will be an answer to long term. safe. Bishop’s presumed fit with Buffalo’s defensive system has been scrutinized by several experts since the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft; Lining him up alongside Hyde for a season could result in some notable plays.

Whatever Hyde’s final decision, it’s reassuring to know he won’t end his career elsewhere. He’s become a physical embodiment of the “Sean McDermott era” in Buffalo, and it would be frankly unsettling to see him in any other uniform.