In 2013, the Buffalo Bills made a rare player for player trade by sending former third round pick Kelvin Sheppard to the Indianapolis Colts for defensive end Jerry Hughes. The former first round pick out of TCU had a slow start to his career with only five sacks over three seasons.
He was viewed as a player who was approaching the dreaded ‘bust’ label before the Bills traded for him. However, that trade has ended up being one of the best moves the team has made in franchise history.
Jerry Hughes would go on to play nine seasons with the Bills and currently ranks fourth in franchise history in sacks with 53, behind only Bruce Smith, Aaron Schobel, and Phil Hansen.
Jerry Hughes has reportedly joined the Houston Texans after nearly a decade with the Buffalo Bills
Hughes was the longest-tenured player with the team but that run has reportedly come to an end as he has signed with the Houston Texans, according to Jordan Schultz. He will be joining Mario Addison, who has played together the past two seasons on the Bills’ defense, and reportedly signed with the Texans.
He will now have a chance to return to play in Texas where he played high school football as well as college at TCU.
Breaking: FA DE Jerry Hughes is signing with the #Texans, per source.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 10, 2022
Hughes has missed just one game during the last decade -- while amassing two double-digit sack seasons and 82 TFLs in his career.
It’s also a return home for Hughes -- a Houston native who starred at TCU.
As for the Buffalo Bills, this would have left a major void at the defensive end position. They have a young group of players with Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham, and A.J. Epenesa.
However, they have tried to address that leadership void by signing former Los Angeles Rams pass rusher Von Miller in free agency. Once that move was announced it seemed like it was unlikely that Jerry Hughes would be returning for a tenth season with the team and Hughes will now get a chance to continue his career with the Houston Texans.