Micah Hyde Announces Retirement After 12-Year NFL Career

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde confirmed his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, marking the end of a 12-year career that included seven seasons with the Bills. The announcement came after the Bills’ 24-21 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game, a fitting end to Hyde’s tenure in Buffalo.

“This won’t come as a big surprise, but I had a chance to talk with Micah Hyde today in the #Bills’ locker room,” said Jay Skurski, a reporter who broke the news. “He said that he’s officially retiring and that his playing career is over.”

Hyde, 34, spent his final season on the Bills’ practice squad, a far cry from his earlier years when he was a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, Hyde joined the Bills in 2017 and quickly became a key player under head coach Sean McDermott. Alongside fellow safety Jordan Poyer, Hyde formed one of the longest-tenured safety tandems in the league, earning two second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2021.

Despite a season-ending neck injury in 2022, Hyde returned to start alongside Poyer in 2023. However, the Bills’ decision to draft Utah safety Cole Bishop in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft signaled a shift in the team’s defensive strategy. Hyde’s role diminished, and he spent much of the season on the practice squad, appearing in just two games.

Over his career, Hyde made 95 starts for the Bills, ranking fourth in franchise history among safeties. He recorded 54 tackles, seven passes defended, and two interceptions in his final season. Hyde’s career earnings exceeded $53 million, a testament to his longevity and impact in the league.

The Bills’ loss to the Chiefs on Sunday was a bittersweet moment for Hyde, who had hoped to end his career with a Super Bowl appearance. “This isn’t the way that Hyde or the Bills wanted to go out,” said one analyst. “But he still finished things out strong in what was a memorable season for the Bills.”

Hyde’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Bills, who will now look to rebuild their secondary around younger players like Bishop and Taylor Rapp. As for Hyde, his legacy in Buffalo is secure, with fans and teammates alike celebrating his contributions to the team’s resurgence under McDermott.