Micah Hyde is excited to coach his son’s soccer team in sunny San Diego, but the lure of continuing his playing career and the chance to finally bring a championship to Buffalo is a must for the Bills’ veteran safety. And Hyde chose to return to frigid Buffalo on Wednesday without any guarantee he would play by signing with the practice squad. In doing so, the 33-year-old has readily accepted an expanded leadership role as a mentor and coach on the sideline. “The goal has always been to bring a championship back to Buffalo, and if I can help in any way, if I can give T-Rapp or D-Ham or whoever is out there a chance to create so a big play in a big play, then I’ve done my job,” he added, referring to Buffalo’s starting safety pairing of Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin .

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Hyde is not exactly a retiree after not signing a contract after the final year of his contract expired in March. While turning down interest from other teams, Hyde maintained his vision of keeping the wing the door is open to continue playing but only in Buffalo, where he spent the last seven of his 11 NFL seasons. For Buffalo, Hyde was a late-season addition, bringing experience, stability, leadership and familiarity with the defensive scheme to the five-time AFC East champions. Coach Sean McDermott emphasized that while he welcomes Hyde’s addition, it is no reflection on Buffalo’s safety group. However, Hyde still offers insurance in case of injury. The relationship between McDermott and Hyde runs deep, dating back to 2017. That’s when the then-first-year coach determined Hyde and safety Jordan Poyer would become the first major free agents of Buffalo. Hyde and Poyer signed within hours of each other and began seven consecutive seasons as Buffalo’s starting tandem.