The Buffalo Bills' defense is undergoing several changes, particularly in the secondary. Gone are safety Jordan Poyer and corner Siran Neal, both signing one-year deals with the Miami Dolphins. Gone also is corner Dane Jackson, who joined the Carolina Panthers on a two-year deal. However, safety Micah Hyde remains unsigned but has not decided to retire yet either.
During a recent interview, Brandon Beane said he has not yet closed the door on Hyde returning to the Bills. After missing the majority of the 2022 NFL season due to a neck injury, he returned to the field in 2023; however, he didn't quite have the season many expected or were used to. That's not to say he can't still play at a high level though, the jury is still out on whether age is catching up to Hyde or if there were other issues at play last year, that maybe were linked to lingering concerns from the neck injury.
Could Micah Hyde be back?
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) March 24, 2024
I’ll let you decipher this response 👀#BillsMafia @WKBW pic.twitter.com/YKTzqEx4qg
Where would Micah Hyde fit in the Buffalo Bills revamped secondary?
The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp and also brought in free agent Mike Edwards from the Kansas City Chiefs. They also re-signed safely Cam Lewis, so the Bills have some options at safety, and it's widely thought the Bills will draft a young safety in the coming 2024 NFL Draft. Regardless, keeping Hyde on the roster would greatly benefit the other safeties, especially a rookie if they bring one in. He also brings leadership to the locker room and secondary. Plus, if he can still play at a high level even better.
The Bills defense is changing, getting younger and faster, but Hyde would be a great mentor, leader, and another "coach" on the field. I'm good with the changes we are seeing, and they are necessary if the Bills are to keep up with the rest of the AFC but keeping some consistency and leadership around to help the secondary transition into the future, would be a huge benefit to the team and the Bills secondary.