Micah Hyde loved teaching his son’s soccer club in sunny San Diego, but the veteran Bills safety was too tempted by the opportunity to win a title in Buffalo and the desire to continue playing.
Hyde signed with the team’s practice squad on Wednesday, deciding to return to chilly Buffalo without knowing if he will play. Hyde, who is 33 years old, is prepared to assume a more extensive leadership position as a coach and mentor off the field.
“Listen, I can assist you. Hyde remarked, “I left my ego in San Diego.”
Micah Hyde loved teaching his son’s soccer club in sunny San Diego, but the veteran Bills safety was too tempted by the opportunity to win a title in Buffalo and the desire to continue playing.
Hyde’s return to Buffalo (10-2) adds leadership, experience, and a deep comprehension of the defense.
Edge rusher Von Miller remarked, “You’re just excited because you know what type of energy he brings to the locker room, you know his personality.” “Adding Micah Hyde just made us better, both on and off the football field. Everything is above and beyond in every category.
Hyde’s return does not indicate any discontent with the team’s existing safeties, coach Sean McDermott emphasized. But in the event of an injury, Hyde offers the squad extra support.
“The guys who have played there all season long and have both done a nice job have us in a good spot,” McDermott stated. “The team is the focus. It’s never about one individual; it’s always about the team. Furthermore, Micah would not want that to be about him in this particular situation.
Hyde’s comeback was still possible because the Bills had left his locker unoccupied and had not handed his number 23 to anybody else.
Shortly after Buffalo defeated the San Francisco 49ers 35–10 to secure the division, Hyde signed with the team. After defeating Kansas City (11-1) last month, the Bills must concentrate on catching them to secure the top spot in the AFC playoffs.
Since McDermott made Hyde and safety Jordan Poyer the team’s main free-agent acquisitions in 2017, during his first season as head coach, the two have had a close relationship.
Hyde and Poyer were Buffalo’s starting safety tandem for seven seasons after signing on the same day. In 2017 and 2021, Hyde, who spent his first four seasons with Green Bay, was named to the second team of the All-Pro team. Poyer, who was selected to the 2021 All-Pro team, was released by Buffalo in March and is currently with Miami.
Due to a neck ailment, Hyde missed the most of the 2022 season. He started 14 games but missed three. He is now completely recovered, and by exercising frequently while on vacation, he has also shed weight. Regardless of how it turns out, he affirmed that this will be his final NFL season.
“That (retirement) paper is going to be right here and it’s getting signed after the last game,” Hyde stated. “You can definitely guarantee that.”
