The Buffalo Bills are still going through the emotions in the aftermath of a heartbreaking loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. Despite a thrilling effort that saw them return to this stage for the first time since the 2020-21 season, their campaign fell short.
Kansas City is still rolling, now in Super Bowl 59 against the Eagles on Sunday.
And Buffalo? Buffalo is still reeling.
One big decision? Beloved defensive back Micah Hyde, at age 34, officially retired from the NFL this week.
And now he's getting some social media love from the team in a 3-word reaction.
"Thank you, Micah!!" the Instagram message read.
Hyde spent 12 seasons in the league with the first four coming with the Green Bay Packers and the last eight in Buffalo. His role was minimal this season, joining the practice squad in December after a noncommittal stance following the 2023 season.
A much-admired part of the Buffalo Bills' renaissance over the last decade, Hyde retires having intercepted 16 passes and made 417 tackles for the Bills. His lone touchdown of his career also came in a Bills uniform.
"We've always connected with this place," said Hyde, via the Bills, speaking of himself and wife Amanda. "To see the reaction that people have with us signing back here (after a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins) is truly amazing. I think it's an indication to how my family, the foundation (Imagine for Youth), everything has given back to this community, and we'll continue to do that."
While he did not see the field as much in these final stages of his career, Hyde played a role this season elevating some of the younger players in the secondary, including Cole Bishop, who was asked to play a significant role in that Sunday's game after Taylor Rapp was ruled out.
The Bills have already begun identifying pieces that have filled in his place, but will need to shore up their secondary along with some other positions on both sides of the ball heading into next season.
And now they know for sure that after all of these years, Micah Hyde won't be a part of the next push to a Super Bowl.
