NFL Trade Rumors: Free Agent Safety Micah Hyde to Re-Sign With Buffalo Bills or Retire

The Buffalo Bills are facing an uncertain future at safety. Current free agent and Pro Bowl safety Micah Hyde is apparently mulling retirement but assured fans and media that if he does play this season, it will be for the Bills.

“It’s Bills or retire” — Micah Hyde.
Says he won’t play elsewhere.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) May 16, 2024

Hyde just finished the final year of a two-year, $19.5 million contract for the Bills and is an unrestricted free agent. He has played his last seven seasons in Buffalo, starting 93 games and nabbing 16 interceptions. In his tenure with the Bills, he has earned a pair of second-team All-Pro designations and has been a crucial component of a defense that has finished in the top five for yards allowed in three separate seasons.

Hyde will turn 34 years old in December and suffered a serious neck injury in 2022, so it's no wonder he's considering his football mortality. Still, he remained a competent starter in 2023, earning a 64.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for a defense that finished fourth in points allowed.

Ultimately, the Bills still need safety help. They didn't take a defensive back until the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and their only free agent addition at the position was Mike Edwards on a one-year, $2.8 million contract. They've certainly kept an open spot on their roster for Hyde.

Unfortunately for Hyde and the Bills, money will almost certainly be a sticking point. Per overthecap, the Bills are currently sitting on under $100 000 in salary cap space. If Hyde wants to play and chase an elusive championship, it may require him to sign an extremely team-friendly deal.