Former Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes
This offseason, the Buffalo Bills made a roster overhaul, going with a younger, more affordable group. However, Buffalo might bring back a dependable veteran after selecting just one defensive end in the 2024 NFL draft.
On Monday, May 13, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report recommended that the Bills get back together with defensive end Jerry Hughes Jr. during his assessment of “Every Team’s Biggest Need.” Before agreeing to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Houston Texans in 2022, Hughes spent nine seasons as a player in Buffalo.
Ballentine remarked, “The defense will turn a new chapter in 2024.” “Although the Bills lost a number of experienced players, they did a nice job of focusing on cheap replacements.
Nevertheless, they were still lacking depth at two of the most crucial positions. Reuniting with Jerry Hughes would be a low-cost method of providing them with some edge depth.
“The Bills need to replace Leonard Floyd’s production because Von Miller was demoted to a rotational role last season.” Even though Hughes will turn 36 in August, he still has a lot of energy left.
He recorded 67 total tackles, 13 quarterback hits, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 interception in the previous two seasons. Prior to free agency, SI’s Cole Thompson noted, “After leading Houston with 9.5 sacks in 2022, Hughes moved into a rotational role behind (Jonathan) Greenard and (2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year Will) Anderson.”
Hughes finished the regular season with three sacks and six tackles for losses, but missing the playoffs. Despite his age of 36 this offseason, he still provides depth value at the appropriate cost.
When Jerry Hughes left the Bills, he had the longest contract of any player.
Hughes was the player with the longest contract with the Bills when he left in free agency. The edge rusher Hughes flourished after the Indianapolis Colts sold their 2010 first-round choice to Buffalo in 2013.
He was one of the few players kept when the Bills hired general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott, recording back-to-back seasons with ten sacks.
For the Sugar Land native, moving to Texas made sense, and Bills Mafia wished him all the best. After Hughes decided to sign a free agent contract with the Texans, he wrote a touching farewell to Buffalo.
“To the Pegula’s, my teammates, coaches & staff and of course Bills Mafia,” he wrote on Instagram.I have made so many friends and am incredibly grateful for the folks I have met. My family and I have had a great time over the past nine incredible years.
Forever appreciative and incredibly fortunate. The former TCU student departed as the fourth-ever leader in sacks (53) with the Bills. According to ESPN, he led Buffalo in pass rush victory percentage (20.9%) in his final season there.
