Bills fans have heard whispers all season that their former All-Pro Safety Micah Hyde may be returning to the team in some capacity. On Wednesday, the whispers became headlines when the Buffalo Bills announced they had signed Hyde to their practice squad. The familiar face spent seven seasons with the Bills before letting his contract expire and becoming a free agent in 2023.
While the two-time Second-Team All-Pro considered retirement during his time as a free agent, he never filed the retirement paperwork with the NFL, making him free to return to football at any time.
While the news is exciting, it’s important to realize that the Bills are currently 10-2 and on a seven-game win streak. Therefore, Sean McDermott won’t be looking to shake things up in the secondary, at least not right now. The veteran will undoubtedly assume a mentor role to help develop younger guys like Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp.
“The dream has always been to bring a championship back to Buffalo.” Micah Hyde told reporters on Wednesday, “If I can help in any way – if I am able to give T Rapp or D Ham or whoever is out there a nugget, to make a big play… I did my job.”
Head Coach Sean McDermott is trying his best to manage the expectations of the fanbase when it comes to Hyde’s role in the organization.
“Let’s just take it one day at a time. Let’s, number one, make sure everybody understands what his role is right now, and we’ll just see. We’ll just take it one day at a time. It’s about the team. It’s always about the team. It’s never about one person. In that case, Micah would not want that to be in this case about him.”
As to be expected, players and fans alike are excited to welcome Hyde back home.
“For me personally, he’s one of my favorite humans of all time.” Said MVP candidate Josh Allen to the media on Wednesday. “So to have him in the building is awesome.”
Micah Hyde has said that he’ll retire as a player after this season but will remain committed to helping Buffalo bring home the Lombardi. (If they haven’t already done so)
“Like I said, the goal has always been to bring a championship back here and that’s always going to be the goal. Until that happens, you guys are probably going to be tired of me, because after this season and I truly retire, maybe you might see me doing something else here until we get a championship.”
The Bills are fresh off an AFC East-clinching victory against the 49ers, making that five straight division titles. Week 14 is a trip to SoFi stadium to take on the 6-6 Los Angeles Rams as the Bills remain in pursuit of the number one seed in the AFC. Kansas City still sits above Buffalo at 11-2, but with a difficult schedule on the horizon, who knows how the season will wrap up…
Written by Raven Ullah, WUFO Intern
