Since signing a contract with Buffalo in the 2017 offseason, Hyde has been a mainstay on the team, starting 95 games during a seven-year tenure that saw him selected twice for the second team of the All-Pro team. In addition to being a well-liked member of the team and the leader of the locker room, he has also developed into a local legend and is arguably one of the players most representative of the Bills’ recent return to prominence in the NFL.The 33-year-old is still unsure about whether he will build on his legacy or call it a day on his extraordinarily successful 11-year career. Over the previous two seasons, he has struggled with serious neck ailments. In a Week 2 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the 2022 season that required surgery. He returned in the 2023 season but would suffer several stingers over the course of the year, missing three games.
It’s understandable that Hyde’s recent injuries and their effects on his life off the pitch have forced him to reevaluate his prospects. In an interview with the podcast Centred on Buffalo, which is suitably hosted by former Bills centre Eric Wood, Hyde discussed his injuries and gave some background information on the nature of the condition as well as the reasons why choosing a course of action for his future is so challenging.
After undergoing fusion surgery on the disc above, Hyde has been feeling pressure from the disc below, which has been causing him discomfort. Despite being advised against a double fusion due to the risk of further damage, Hyde opted to fix the top disc to continue playing. As his contract with the Bills ended, Hyde is considering either re-signing with the team or retiring. He emphasized that he is in no hurry to make a decision about his future in the league. If he chooses to return, Hyde would bring continuity and experience to a revamped Buffalo safety group that has added new players in the offseason. This would be beneficial for the team and their rookie defensive coordinator.
