Buffalo Bills Still Waiting on Micah Hyde Decision?

Longtime Buffalo Bills' safety Micah Hyde is a free agent but has yet to indicate whether he wants to keep playing or retire. Even if only slightly, the door remains open for a potential return to Buffalo.

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) against the Kansas / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have key pieces in place at the safety position, but they've yet to "shut the door" on a potential Micah Hyde return.

"We definitely wouldn't shut the door to ever bringing a Micah Hyde back, if he decides to play," said Bills' general manager Brandon Beane at the league meetings in Orlando late last month.

It's still unknown if the 33-year-old Hyde, who is no longer under contract, will opt to return or retire. Hyde, who played seven of his 11 NFL seasons as a Bill, has encountered neck problems in the past couple years.

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) / Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

"We talked after the season, but at that time he was undecided what he was gonna do. He was gonna think about it and still talk about it. I don't know if he's made a hundred percent decision either way," said Beane. "I've talked to his agent since I've talked to Micah. I don't think he's shut the door yet. I think it's still open."

Hyde has played a key role on Buffalo's defense since the start of head coach Sean McDermott's tenure in 2017. Twice earning All-Pro Second Team honors, Hyde has totaled 16 interceptions over 95 regular season starts the Bills.

With Hyde's career nearing a close, Beane was active on the transaction wire in relation to the safeties room.

The Bills re-signed Taylor Rapp, who made 16 appearances in 2023, and signed free agent Mike Edwards away from the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Backup Damar Hamlin is under contract and versatile defensive back Cam Lewis is also returning on a new two-year deal.

"Getting Taylor back, I though he did a great job in his role last year and showed that he for our DNA. To add a Mike Edwards, who we thought was very good a year ago, was a really good move by Kansas City to get him. Those two guys plus bringing Damar back. This will be a year removed from all what we know Damar went through, so he'll be in the mix. And Cam Lewis, we really feel is a versatile piece, can obviously play nickel, play safety for us and special teams," said Beane. "Right now we have those guys, and we wouldn't close the door if there's another opportunity to add someone, free agency or the draft."

That someone could be Hyde if the grizzled veteran decides to continue his playing career and both parties can agree on a reasonable financial package.

"Obviously it would have to fit within the cap," said Beane. "Maybe he says I'll play for Buffalo or another team, but I'm not playing for less than [this] price. It would still have to fit within the business model that we can make it work."

As voluntary offseason workouts kick off this week, the Bills appear to remain in wait-and-see mode when it comes to Hyde.