Well in case you missed it, the Buffalo Bills have signed free-agent veteran safety, Micah Hyde! For now, the longtime Buffalo Bill has joined the practice squad which is a move many expected since early in the offseason when his contract expired. “It’s not welcome back, it’s welcome home,” Hyde says. He has been saying for months now that it’s Buffalo or retire for him.
The conversation about a return started a few weeks ago when the Bills brought back another former fan favorite in defensive tackle, Jordan Phillips. Hyde texted Phillips upon his return to Buffalo and said, “Go get that ring,” to which Phillips replied, “When you coming?” Phillips urged general manager Brandon Beane to reach out, and here we are today. Fans should love this move for multiple reasons as we head down the final stretch of the 2024 season with the Bills in an excellent position at 10-2.
Reason No.1: A premium insurance policy for the Buffalo Bills
While Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin have been playing very well to great this season at the back end of the defense, things can change at any time in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills and their fans know that all too well, as injuries on the defensive side have been a big factor in the team's shortcomings in January the last few years. Depth is a premium in a next-man-up league.
Hyde has been dealing with his own injuries the last few years and has even had some scary cases with his neck. The 33-year-old might be finally healthy for the first time in a long time, especially this far into a season. By signing Hyde now, he’s fresh, knows the defense better than anyone, and could play in a pinch. He still had some gas left last year, posting 54 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended in just 14 games played. Even though he’s not the All-Pro he was a few years ago, he still knows the defense and really is only a few months removed from playing. Other teams have checked in on him as well, although he told them he's only going to play for Buffalo.
The Bills aren’t going to allow what happened last year in the playoffs to happen to them again. They had to call up old friend A.J. Klein to cancel his family road trip and cover Travis Kelce as the team's starting middle linebacker. Hyde is a premium insurance policy and getting him in the building now to get in shape and ready to go in case of emergency is a great move.