Hyde said it’s been a “helluva dream” but now it’s time to move on “to the next” chapter of his life.
It’s official. The day we all knew was coming since December — probably the day we all understood was coming since last January. Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde has officially retired from playing football in the NFL.
Hyde announced his retirement via a post on his Instagram account. Hyde said that he had so much love and too many thanks (presumably to start mentioning people). In his very short message, he said that the goal had always been to have an impact and that it “was one helluva dream” and then announced that he was “(o)n to the next.”
Hyde retires a Buffalo Bill. Over 12 seasons in the NFL, the first four with the Green Bay Packers, he recorded 24 interceptions, recovered five fumbles and scored five career touchdowns (three as punt returns and one kickoff return while in Green Bay and a pick-six while in Buffalo.). Hyde played 8,364 defensive snaps and 1,304 special teams snaps.
Hyde came to Buffalo the season it all started — the season the drought ended. He was in that locker room when the team went wild knowing they were finally in the playoffs.
Hyde was there when Josh Allen joined the team. He was there when the Bills lost in the AFC Championship Game in 2021. He was there when they couldn’t make it back. He was there when Damar Hamlin’s heart stopped beating on the field, and he was there when his eventual replacement retook the field alive and well. Hyde was there for all the ups, but more importantly he stayed through all the downs.
Hyde’s season — and essentially his career — ended early in 2022 when he suffered a neck injury in Week 2. He swore he would be back and the mantra “23 in 23” was coined. And Hyde did come back. He was the Bills starting safety in September. But 2023 was full of injury and frustration as Hyde suffered several “stinger” injuries indicating maybe something wasn’t right with his neck.
The then-32 year old only played in 14 of Buffalo’s 17 games. ‘Only 14’ seems like a lot for a guy with a neck injury that could challenge his quality of life. It speaks to the determination and the competitiveness, and the teammate that has always been Micah Hyde.
After the Bills’ season ended in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Hyde was a free agent. He said that he had a lot to think about before he decided what to do. He said that it was Buffalo or no one. But then it seemed like it was no one.
Preseason started and there was no Hyde. The regular season started and there was no Hyde. But apparently the Bills weren’t giving up on him — we later found out that they never cleared his locker, and, of course, no one was given Hyde’s number 23.
Then came December, and Micah Hyde was back with the Bills. Not as a starter. Not even on the roster. He was on the practice squad.
A former Pro Bowler; a two-time All Pro who had played 95 games in a Bills uniform; a safety who had 347 tackles and 16 interceptions while with Buffalo. On the practice squad. And that speaks to the man that is Micah Hyde.
He understood that taking the field was only going to happen if the Bills literally “ran out of bodies” (as general manager Brandon Beane told us at the end of the season). He understood that he was going to be in sweats and not shoulder pads on Sundays.
But he believed in his team, and he knew his teammates needed him. The Bills needed Hyde in the locker room, in the film room, on the practice field. They had a rookie safety who needed a mentor — someone to help him gain ground in the NFL quickly. So Micah Hyde did what any great teammate would do — he stepped up when called.
Hyde told us back in December when he returned to One Bills Drive that this was it. He had already made his decision, and he would be signing the retirement papers the first chance he could.
But he also told us this wasn’t the end. He hinted at being a part of the Buffalo Bills’ organization in a different role in the future.
Now Bills Mafia will wonder what “next” means for Hyde. Is he just going to head back to California and enjoy the sun? Or will we see his football journey continue as an official coach with the Bills continuing to “have an impact” — time and Hyde will tell.