Jerry Hughes restructuring? Rumor...

[Buffalo_Stampede]

2 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

If that’s the case then John Brown is getting cut and Beasley restructured. He reported all of that this week but fueht know how much credence to give it. 

Also letting Barkley walk. All of which is what I've predicted as well. 

 

I've been waiting to jump on Jerry Hughes for a while but I didn't want to be that guy. Hughes is a situational pass rusher and nothing more. 

Edited March 5, 2021 by Buffalo_Stampede

[billsfan89]

Even if the cap is set up higher than 180-185 (I can't see it being higher than 190 or 195) expect a lot of contract restructuring from the Bills. The Bills have 3 starters who are unrestricted free agents (Milano, Williams and Mongo) 2 of those starters will be higher end value type players (Williams and Milano) and Mongo is a mid level or slightly better value player. That's in addition to the 3 restricted free agent starters (Ike, Wallace and Bojo) and the unrestricted role players (Roberts, Ty, Barkley, T.Jones and Mac among others).

 

The Bills also have a glut of productive but overpaid players and outright over paid players. The cap crunch around the league is going to result in a lot of players taking pay cuts to stay on their teams and the Bills have at least 8 players that they will ask to take restructures. 

 

Pay cut candidates 

• John Brown 
• Mitch
• Quinton Jefferson or Vernon Butler (one will likely be cut with Star coming back)
• Jerry Hughes
• Addision 
• AJ Klein

On top of those 7 they might do some cap magic with the Tre, Dawkins and Diggs contracts where they convert some of their base salary into a signing bonus. That could free up additional money. This off-season is going to be the first time since 2018 where McBeane faces a cap crunch. Let's see exactly how they handle it. McBeane has to manage this cap situation while also finding a way to add a few key pieces and not lose many or any key pieces. It is going to be difficult but it can be done. 

[YoloinOhio]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Also letting Barkley walk. All of which is what I've predicted as well. 

 

I've been waiting to jump on Jerry Hughes for a while but I didn't want to be that guy. Hughes is a situational pass rusher and nothing more. 

Restructuring him seems for cap reasons. I don’t think they move on from Hughes. 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, ScottLaw said:

Then why hold onto a guy who's 34 pm the opposite side and not as effective a player....

More Sacks, tackles, and tackles for loss. Not as effective? 

 

We don't know if they're going to hold on to Addison either. 

Just now, YoloinOhio said:

Restructuring him seems for cap reasons. I don’t think they move on from Hughes. 

I hope they don't. But the days of Hughes being our best edge defender needs to end if we want to win a Super Bowl. 

[Tenhigh]

2 hours ago, Gregthekeg said:

I would be shocked if he is let go or traded.  He is a leader on the Team/D and their only legit pass rush.  How much would they save if they cut him?  

About 15 yards per game

[Buffalo_Stampede]

8 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

No. I think most would agree that Hughes is the better, more disruptive player, and better pass rusher than Mario Addison. 
 

If it’s one or the other, I think the obvious answer is Addison goes. 

I wouldn't disagree. Hughes is by far a better pass rusher. 

[billsfan89]

9 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

No. I think most would agree that Hughes is the better, more disruptive player, and better pass rusher than Mario Addison. 
 

If it’s one or the other, I think the obvious answer is Addison goes. 

 

I think pass rush wise Addison and Hughes are similar. But Hughes is a veteran leader and the heart of the defense. For that reason alone if the team is forced to choose one they are going with Hughes. I think they ask both guys to take a moderate pay cut. 

[HappyDays]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

Then why hold onto a guy who's 34 pm the opposite side and not as effective a player....

 

Well I'm assuming both would be cut if Hughes is cut. If it's a matter of holding onto one of then, Hughes is a no brainer since he's a year younger and slightly smaller cap hit. But if we want to sign a difference maker at the position Hughes could end up being a casualty of that.

[gjv001]

Don't know what's happening between Hughes and the Bills. However, I respect Hughes because he is a player that got paid and became a better player. How many other players can you say that about. That being said, I think Hughes can make plays for us next year.

[John from Riverside]

I think a restructure makes sense.......a cap move if nothing else

[ngbills]

If your a critic of Bills not addressing pass rush - We are fine; Hughes is top 10 in pressures.

If your a critic of Bills cutting Hughes - Hughes sucks, what has he done the past few years.

 

That is called a win win. 

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Most people, including me, have been saying to cut Addison but he had more Sacks, tackles, and tackles for loss than Jerry Hughes has had the last 2 seasons. 

 

Bills need to upgrade DL anyway possible. My hope is to have Hughes coming off the bench in a rotation and not our best edge defender. 

Don’t look at stats.  Watch the games.  Addison blows. Hughes does not

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, NewEra said:

Don’t look at stats.  Watch the games.  Addison blows. Hughes does not

Obviously Hughes is the better player, but Hughes lacks production. We can't continue with Hughes being our best edge defender. He's a situational player at this point. 

 

Addison shouldn't be our most productive edge player. 

 

 

[Big Turk]

21 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Don’t look at stats.  Watch the games.  Addison blows. Hughes does not

 

Hughes is usually the guy helping other players by forcing the QB directly into them due to his pressure

[appoo]

19 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

Obviously Hughes is the better player, but Hughes lacks production. We can't continue with Hughes being our best edge defender. He's a situational player at this point. 

 

Addison shouldn't be our most productive edge player. 

 

 

 

In the modern NFL, pressures are more reflective statistic of success than sacks. Its sort of like OPS vs HRs.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

Just now, appoo said:

 

In the modern NFL, pressures are more reflective statistic of success than sacks. Its sort of like OPS vs HRs.

I take pressure over sacks all day but you're missing the point. Hughes can't be our most productive edge player. You're not winning a super bowl when you're best pass rusher has 4 sacks every year. 

[Bronxbomber21]

Why can't we find a 13 + sack guy at DE ?

[appoo]

8 minutes ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

I take pressure over sacks all day but you're missing the point. Hughes can't be our most productive edge player. You're not winning a super bowl when you're best pass rusher has 4 sacks every year. 

 

Which is why you sign someone opposite him. Not cut him. He's easily the best Edge rusher the Bills have. I'm not even sure it's close.

If you cut him, then you need to go out and find TWO high end edge rushers. AJE isn't ready for that.

 

I'd love to go into next season with:

 

EDGE: F/A pick up ~ 10-12M PYA, Hughes (restructured), AJE, Draft pick

3T: Oliver, Justin Zimmer

1T: Star, Harrison Phillips

Tweener 3T/EDGE:  Quinton Jefferson (restructured)

4 minutes ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

Why can't we find a 13 + sack guy at DE ?

 

Because the Bills can't afford a $20M+ cap hit

Edited March 5, 2021 by appoo

[Buffalo_Stampede]

1 minute ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

Why can't we find a 13 + sack guy at DE ?

I'll take an 8 sack guy. 

[Bronxbomber21]

2 minutes ago, appoo said:

 

Which is why you sign someone opposite him. Not cut him. He's easily the best Edge rusher the Bills have. I'm not even sure it's close.

If you cut him, then you need to go out and find TWO high end edge rushers. AJE isn't ready for that.

 

I'd love to go into next season with:

 

EDGE: F/A pick up ~ 10-12M PYA, Hughes, AJE, Draft pick

3T: Oliver, Justin Zimmer

1T: Star, Harrison Phillips

Tweener 3T/EDGE:  Quinton Jefferson (restructured)

 

Because the Bills can't afford a $20M+ cap hit

I'm taking about in the draft its been since Smith i believe 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

2 minutes ago, appoo said:

 

Which is why you sign someone opposite him. Not cut him. He's easily the best Edge rusher the Bills have. I'm not even sure it's close.

If you cut him, then you need to go out and find TWO high end edge rushers. AJE isn't ready for that.

 

I'd love to go into next season with:

 

EDGE: F/A pick up ~ 10-12M PYA, Hughes, AJE, Draft pick

3T: Oliver, Justin Zimmer

1T: Star, Harrison Phillips

Tweener 3T/EDGE:  Quinton Jefferson (restructured)

 

Because the Bills can't afford a $20M+ cap hit

Simply put I'de be extremely surprised if thru cut Hughes. They won't. But we need to get better and it might take a big contract. That's a position where it's worth it. 

[BuffaloRebound]

Well, if we aren’t bringing Milano back, Bills better go out and sign a double digit sack guy.  If the LB play is worse, the pass rush has got to be better or the defense will be worse than their mediocre 2020 season.  

[Buffalo_Stampede]

 I bet Jerry Hughes gets a similar extension to Hyde. 

Edited March 5, 2021 by Buffalo_Stampede

[appoo]

1 minute ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

 I bet Jerry Hughes gets a similar extension to Hyde. 

Hyde's extension didn't really budge his cap hit. If they're going to extend/restructure Hughes than his cap hit better be coming down significantly

[Mcdermott]

14 minutes ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

Why can't we find a 13 + sack guy at DE ?

Maybe because there are 2 to 3 guys in entire league who get that many.

[jimmy10]

4 hours ago, JackKemp said:

I would say this more about Jerry Hughes' desire to keep as many of the pieces around him intact for another run at getting to the Superbowl.

My thought exactly. He knows his time is limited and wants to help make possible another good shot at it. 

[RyanC883]

likely wants to restructure to hell the cap and get another DL FA in here that can help. Tomlinson??!!  Lawson??

[Buffalo_Stampede]

38 minutes ago, appoo said:

Hyde's extension didn't really budge his cap hit. If they're going to extend/restructure Hughes than his cap hit better be coming down significantly

In terms of money, Hughes is fairly paid. 

[LABILLBACKER]

5 hours ago, Rc2catch said:

I like Jerry, and he’s obviously our best end. However I’d still like to move on. I’ve said repeatedly the refs hate that dude. He is not as athletic as he once was and the refs allow him to be held like nobody I’ve ever seen before. So now his speed doesn’t negate the holding like it used to. Could just be my bias but I’ve seen the refs straight abuse Hughes for years now. 

Over the last 4 full seasons Jerry has averaged 5.1 sacks. If he's our best pass rusher (which he is) then we're in deep s#!t.....the refs do hate him and opposing tackles know this. If we don't get a semi elite pass rusher, Mahomes will just toy with us....

[ColoradoBills]

I expect there are a lot of players in the Jerry Hughes/John Brown situation around the league right now.

 

Some of these guys will get cut and be another name in the long FA list in their positions.

Many won't be in great demand and I expect some to resign with their original teams at a bit lower of cap hit.

[atlbillsfan1975]

2 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

I expect there are a lot of players in the Jerry Hughes/John Brown situation around the league right now.

 

Some of these guys will get cut and be another name in the long FA list in their positions.

Many won't be in great demand and I expect some to resign with their original teams at a bit lower of cap hit.

For sure, this isn’t just a Bills issue. Creative GM’s with a good reputation for honesty will weather the adversity.

[billsfan89]

5 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

I’d hope so.... but I’m skeptical due to the Carolina connection. 

 

I think McD does value the locker room. He has kept a lot of bad players or brought in a lot of washed vets for the value they have in the locker room. Given that dynamic I think they would pick Hughes over Addision. 

[Tipster19]

8 hours ago, junior12thman92 said:

I hope we can restructure his deal and keep him on board - he's a leader on this team and even though he's not as good as he once was, he's still serviceable.

 

Last year he was tied for 44th in the league in QB pressures, and I'm willing to bet that he subbed out quite a bit more than the 43 guys ahead of him.  The next closest DE on the team? Mario Addison at 146, and Epenesa at 224. It's clear we need a top-flight DE in here, but I still think there's room for a guy like Hughes. 

Great points made here. If the Bills don’t acquire a top DE in FA or a trade then it should be a no brainer for them to use their 1st rd on one. The DL is either too old or too light and neither are a good attribute at this point.

[Augie]

4 hours ago, Bronxbomber21 said:

Why can't we find a 13 + sack guy at DE ?

 

3 hours ago, Mcdermott said:

Maybe because there are 2 to 3 guys in entire league who get that many.

 

They are easy to FIND. They are just about impossible to get signed on your roster.   🤷‍♂️

[somnus00]

9 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Yea. If any DE should be cut it's Addidon.... but he played for Carolina so....

I understand your point. Addison definitely didn't live up to his contract. But his contract isn't friendly to just being cut. Sure, you'll save a couple million. But will you be able to sign a better replacement for less than what you save by cutting him? Probably not.

 

I think we're stuck with hoping this was just a down year for Addison. I'd be shocked if he were cut.

[BillMafia716ix]

Hughes was one the guys I could see as a surprise cut. He hasn’t been worth his salary the last few years but he’s still our best lineman.

[Buffalo_Stampede]

7 minutes ago, BillMafia716ix said:

Hughes was one the guys I could see as a surprise cut. He hasn’t been worth his salary the last few years but he’s still our best lineman.

He's still worth his salary, but we can't have him as our best lineman. That's the problem. 

[JerseyBills]

Off topic but see his name  - Addison is Good. Coaches love him on the field and locker room. 

His production was pretty good,  not elite , not great , but pretty good. 

 

Jerry is Elite. 

He consistently causes HAVOC!

 

Get a dominant guy outside that makes Jerry, Oliver , Addison etc much better! 

[Buffalo_Stampede]

10 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

Off topic but see his name  - Addison is Good. Coaches love him on the field and locker room. 

His production was pretty good,  not elite , not great , but pretty good. 

 

Jerry is Elite. 

He consistently causes HAVOC!

 

Get a dominant guy outside that makes Jerry, Oliver , Addison etc much better! 

Actually you need a dominant guy inside. Hughes needs someone to push the middle and force the QB into him. 

[Southern_Bills]

31 minutes ago, BillMafia716ix said:

Hughes was one the guys I could see as a surprise cut. He hasn’t been worth his salary the last few years but he’s still our best lineman.

 

He's well worth his salary. He is by far our best pass rusher and we are not breaking the bank for him.