Jerry Hughes saying goodbye?

[eball]

34 minutes ago, Logic said:

Just would've been nice to see a little statement from the team or something thanking Jerry for his time here if, in fact, he's not coming back.

He was here for NINE years. Always a good, loyal Bill who did his job and never complained, even though we consistently stunk for the first half of his tenure here.

I'm not asking for a parade or anything, just a little thank you message on social media, where fans could add their own thanks in the comments section.

I know, I know, this is just business and I'm an overly sentimental goon. So be it. One of the best drought era Bills. Won't get to be part of our championship season in 2023. Just a shame is all.

 

Umm…give them some time?  Is FA over?  Is the offseason over?

 

Jesus Freaking Christ.

[Logic]

6 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Umm…give them some time?  Is FA over?  Is the offseason over?

 

Jesus Freaking Christ.

His middle name is actually "Tapdancing". Jesus TAPDANCING Christ. Everyone knows this.

[LABILLBACKER]

1 hour ago, Bferra13 said:

I was hoping you would sing us a "farewell and adieu to my fair Spanish lady." Boo

 

But in all seriousness if Jerry is gone Hella praise on him. Dude did nothing but compete and give 110%. Good luck Jerry.

Yes, Jerry was a warrior and gave it his all despite constantly getting hosed by the refs. He'll be missed and will always have a spot in Bill's lore.

[beerme1]

I will always love Jerry Hughes. But a lot of the sentiment that I'm reading in this thread is how I felt last year. 

Beane did a great thing by keeping Jerry last year for a championship run. Can't keep doing it until it happens. Decisions have to be made and I think Jerry is gone.

Thank you Jerry for many memories and your intense effort as a Buffalo Bill. Love you man. 

[eSJayDee]

1 hour ago, Rubes said:

 

You must mean this one...such a great play!

 

 

YES!  That's the one.  THANK YOU.

[transplantbillsfan]

Can you imagine if Hughes just wanted to play 1 year on the vet minimum opposite Von Miller?

 

Really gonna miss him.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

3 hours ago, thenorthremembers said:

Guy has been a great Buffalo Bill.   But if he is being honest with himself he will retire.  The thing he can't change is that he doesn't have it anymore.   Hit a wall three years ago, and has been living off of pressures since then.  

 

Can you really say that Hughes would contribute less than Shaq Lawson, who got traded out of Miami to a bad team in Houston a year after signing his big 2nd contract, then traded again to a worse team, the Jets, 5 months later (and cut before the end of the season)?

 

Or than Epenesa has, to date?

 

The problem is that Lawson is playing for the Bills on a Veteran Salary Benefit deal (he gets minimum and a small bonus, the team gets a lower cap hit)

Epenesa is playing on a rookie deal.

 

I don't think Jerry (nor Addison) wants to play for pennies on the dollar.

[Rubes]

36 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Can you really say that Hughes would contribute less than Shaq Lawson, who got traded out of Miami to a bad team in Houston a year after signing his big 2nd contract, then traded again to a worse team, the Jets, 5 months later (and cut before the end of the season)?

 

Or than Epenesa has, to date?

 

The problem is that Lawson is playing for the Bills on a Veteran Salary Benefit deal (he gets minimum and a small bonus, the team gets a lower cap hit)

Epenesa is playing on a rookie deal.

 

I don't think Jerry (nor Addison) wants to play for pennies on the dollar.

My guess is that BB discussed it with him and Jerry decided to see if he could get a better deal elsewhere.

 

[Freddie's Dead]

Jerry Hughes should retire a Buffalo Bill.

[BillsFanForever19]

I think we all expected Hughes wasn't returning after this season. The writing was on the wall. Von Miller being signed sealed it for me.

 

It's a lot to ask and expect Jerry Hughes to come back for pennies on the dollar, in a rotational role, and take a backseat to Von Miller after 9 years with the team, most of which as the unquestioned leader of the Defense. I think it would be an uncomfortable dynamic for both he and Von.

 

I believe if anyone's coming back and doing that, it'll much sooner be Mario Addison than Jerry Hughes.

[Thurman#1]

5 hours ago, buffblue said:

I'm not sure he won't be back. Everyone is saying we don't have room, but don't the Bills usually roll with 9 or 10 DL's? 

 

Right now there is 9 I believe:

 

DT Settle

DT Jones

DT Oliver

DT Phillips

DE Miller

DE Rousseau

DE Lawson

DE Epenesa

DE Basham

 

Zimmer and Jerry are the only remaining FA's of interest with Ankou presumably bound for the practice squad. I can definitely see a scenario where Lawson or Epenesa are not on the final roster and Jerry accepts a reduced contract/role to give it one more go. He's still an effective player, and I don't think he would sign with another team that isn't a Super Bowl contender. We shall see I guess, but I hope something happens as the offseason goes on.

 

 

 

Yeah. 

 

Doesn't seem this retweet is necessarily even about this. That's certainly one explanation, but there are plenty of equally reasonable others. 

 

IMO he could be back later depending on price and how the roster looks.

[BobbyC81]

8 hours ago, eball said:

 

Umm…give them some time?  Is FA over?  Is the offseason over?

 

Jesus Freaking Christ.

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

[eball]

3 minutes ago, BobbyC81 said:

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

 

Don’t stop me now, I’m on a roll…

 

[machine gun kelly]

Jerry, a class act was poignant in his finality in acceptance.  He was a heck of a player for us, and he knows deep down he was losing a step.  He made up for his declining speed with a wealth of knowledge knowing how to outsmart those young LT’s.

 

I appreciate his years here and sincerely hope he retires with grace.  If so, he should be honored at halftime of the September home games.

 

Hell be missed and I think he’s earned the right to address the team before a game.  I can easily see him coming for a couple of days in camp working with the newer DE’s, in Rousseau, Basham, and Epenesa.

 

Thank you Jerry for you’re decade in Buffalo.

[Dopey]

It's time. Not enough sacks or tackles  to keep around. Numbers matter.

Sincerely,

Star 

[gjv001]

If the Bills had a team full of players that had Jerry Hughes heart we would have 5 Super Bowls. True Champion, going to be missed.

[DCbillsfan]

7 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Can you really say that Hughes would contribute less than Shaq Lawson, who got traded out of Miami to a bad team in Houston a year after signing his big 2nd contract, then traded again to a worse team, the Jets, 5 months later (and cut before the end of the season)?

 

Or than Epenesa has, to date?

 

The problem is that Lawson is playing for the Bills on a Veteran Salary Benefit deal (he gets minimum and a small bonus, the team gets a lower cap hit)

Epenesa is playing on a rookie deal.

 

I don't think Jerry (nor Addison) wants to play for pennies on the dollar.

I think this pretty much explains it.  Even Shaq was hesitant to play for veteran minimum but Jordan Phillips convinced him to sign.  If Bills offered Hughes veteran minimum, I'm a little surprised Hughes didn't take it.  Hughes has made his money but doesn't have a championship.  They have a strong shot at it this upcoming season.

[JakeFrommStateFarm]

A great Bill, I'm very sad to see him go.

 

But now the Boogie Basham Era begins !

[thenorthremembers]

7 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Can you really say that Hughes would contribute less than Shaq Lawson, who got traded out of Miami to a bad team in Houston a year after signing his big 2nd contract, then traded again to a worse team, the Jets, 5 months later (and cut before the end of the season)?

 

Or than Epenesa has, to date?

 

The problem is that Lawson is playing for the Bills on a Veteran Salary Benefit deal (he gets minimum and a small bonus, the team gets a lower cap hit)

Epenesa is playing on a rookie deal.

 

I don't think Jerry (nor Addison) wants to play for pennies on the dollar.

I am not of the belief that Lawson makes the team.   As you mentioned Epenesa is on a rookie deal, so for me, with them being so hard up against the cap, negates any conversation of production.  But if I am being honest, I think Hughes is to the point in his career, where yes, Epenesa is as impactful.   Espenesa had 1.5 sacks in 330 snaps where Hughes had 2 in 558.   To me Hughes is washed.

11 hours ago, Augie said:

 

He is STILL an NFL quality player. The question is, at what price? And is it worth it to him? 

I disagree.  I think he is a replacment level player who struggles mightily to get home.  His value may be more to a young DE room, but I wouldnt pay him more than minimum for that.  He is a 33 year old player who has 11 sacks in the last three years combined.   Not sure who is looking to pay a vet for 3.5 sacks a year when a much younger player can do the same.

[Punching Bag]

11 hours ago, TailgateChef said:

Do you have a link?  Would love to watch that.

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2288343-jerry-hughes-making-his-case-for-a-huge-payday-for-buffalo-bills

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

12 hours ago, Steptide said:

Is he a free agent currently? 

Yes

 

[Orlando Tim]

Love Jerry despite the fact I was pissed when we gave him that first big contract since I was sure he was gonna sit on his laurels from then on, which I was off by just a bit 😀

[Big Turk]

12 hours ago, JayBaller10 said:

Wish Jerry well, he just wasn’t the finisher he used to be. My most memorable sack of his was when he whipped All-Pro Joe Thomas for a defining sack. Those days are long gone.

 

He destroyed Thomas on that day...even more memorable for me was the play where they tried an outside run, Hughes, while being held by Thomas, made the tackle, stripped the ball, picked it up and ran it back for the TD 

 

EDIT: Here is the play...it was the 19-17 loss in 2019 

 

https://youtu.be/B5tq9Wi8m6M

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 2, 2022 by Big Turk

[Green Lightning]

Great Bill. One of my favorites. Hope he can come back and hoist the Lombardi this year.

[Kaenon]

Kelvin Sheppard (3rd round LB from LSU) for Jerry Hughes (1st round EDGE) straight up goes down as one of the best Buffalo Bills trades of all time.

[NewEra]

I’ll be holding out hope that he’ll be a part of this SB team until he signs elsewhere. My guy

[Ethan in Cleveland]

11 hours ago, beerme1 said:

I will always love Jerry Hughes. But a lot of the sentiment that I'm reading in this thread is how I felt last year. 

Beane did a great thing by keeping Jerry last year for a championship run. Can't keep doing it until it happens. Decisions have to be made and I think Jerry is gone.

Thank you Jerry for many memories and your intense effort as a Buffalo Bill. Love you man. 

Except Hughes is better than Basham, Lawson, and Epenesa still. He is still a quality player. I understand thus happens all the time and predicting when older veterans decline is as difficult as predicting which young players will improve  

However Epenesa looks like a complete bust and I would take Hughes back and cut Epenesa in a heart beat.

[Let's Go Buffalo]

Jerry Hughes has been one of the great Bills in my opinion.....a hard worker and class act on and off the field. I wish him the best of luck for whatever his future holds!

[Mr. WEO]

He's talking about Christian Wade

[AuntieEm]

15 hours ago, buffblue said:

I'm not sure he won't be back. Everyone is saying we don't have room, but don't the Bills usually roll with 9 or 10 DL's? 

 

Right now there is 9 I believe:

 

DT Settle

DT Jones

DT Oliver

DT Phillips

DE Miller

DE Rousseau

DE Lawson

DE Epenesa

DE Basham

 

Zimmer and Jerry are the only remaining FA's of interest with Ankou presumably bound for the practice squad. I can definitely see a scenario where Lawson or Epenesa are not on the final roster and Jerry accepts a reduced contract/role to give it one more go. He's still an effective player, and I don't think he would sign with another team that isn't a Super Bowl contender. We shall see I guess, but I hope something happens as the offseason goes on.

 

 

  Also, possible added perk of being a top contender mixed with players who grow to love the team and fans, he could opt to hang out on PS to be a in shape but fresh body in the stretch run of the playoffs.  During early season he's keeping in game shape with practicing.  He can be helping coach up the younger guys as well then if they more at the tail end if season,  he's got his motor revving at pace to help take out whomever survives the AFC to have the honor of falling to the eventual SB  champs.  The Bills paid him well over his career he's earned it as well both sides won no reason can't mutually decide to do above situation.  If the young guys break out with Miller drawing attention as he will then having Jerry as unused insurance at a minimum cost while Jerry gets to  keep in shape hanging out with his guys, would earn a SB ring as member of PS squad does it matter to any Mafia if his contributions took place in practice setting?  Dunno if he's a player inclined to coaching post career if he is could be a way to intern so to speak..... I'm inclined to think that going forward may see more players opt to do these types of deals.  They don't earn top $$$, but they also aren't taxing their older bodies and can contribute if the need arises down the stretch.

[RyanC883]

On 4/2/2022 at 12:09 AM, transplantbillsfan said:

Can you imagine if Hughes just wanted to play 1 year on the vet minimum opposite Von Miller?

 

Really gonna miss him.

 

I mean if we would take him and he would not take that offer it’s on Jerry at that point.  Hopefully Groot is ready to go.  

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I feel like somehow he comes back. Put him together With Von and Ed Oliver and we might have something pressure wise. He has to be worth more to us then any other team. I feel like somehow he ends up back

[Solomon Grundy]

On 4/2/2022 at 9:49 AM, Kaenon said:

Kelvin Sheppard (3rd round LB from LSU) for Jerry Hughes (1st round EDGE) straight up goes down as one of the best Buffalo Bills trades of all time.

Straight up HEIST

On 4/2/2022 at 10:51 AM, Ethan in Portland said:

Except Hughes is better than Basham, Lawson, and Epenesa still. He is still a quality player. I understand thus happens all the time and predicting when older veterans decline is as difficult as predicting which young players will improve  

However Epenesa looks like a complete bust and I would take Hughes back and cut Epenesa in a heart beat.

I'm not as down on AJ. He bends the corner well. Will see better AJ with better push from the middle

[BigAl2526]

I agree with those who say they'll miss Jerry.  The Bills have to live within the cap and that's one of the decisions they had to make.  Epenesa and Lawson are not the players that Hughes has been, But they a lot cheaper.  Von Millers is really the only pass rusher they have on the line who can win with bend and speed now.  I expect the Bills will draft a defensive end, but I doubt it will be early, and if you don't draft a defensive end early, you're probably not going to get elite athleticism.  One guy they might get in round 2 is Sam Williams.  He's listed as a linebacker but he's 265 lbs with sub 4.5 speed.  He needs a lot of development, but the raw athleticism is there.

[Ethan in Cleveland]

51 minutes ago, Solomon Grundy said:

Straight up HEIST

I'm not as down on AJ. He bends the corner well. Will see better AJ with better push from the middle

Hope you are right. I try not to throw around the bust word too carefree. But Epenesa and Ford look terrible so far. Add Moss and you have some pretty big misses for Beane in the early rounds. 

I am surely in the minority but I think Ford with a new coach may have a chance to resurrecting his career. Its still more likely than not he is a training camp cut or trade for a low round pick. But he has shown enough in practice to start at RT and both guard spots. Maybe just maybe he can improve enough to at least be interior depth.

 

As for trades, Hughes for what was given up has to be #1. In Bills history, Coussineau, Bennett and Diggs trades were franchise changing/defining deals as well.

[The Jokeman]

49 minutes ago, Ethan in Portland said:

Hope you are right. I try not to throw around the bust word too carefree. But Epenesa and Ford look terrible so far. Add Moss and you have some pretty big misses for Beane in the early rounds. 

I am surely in the minority but I think Ford with a new coach may have a chance to resurrecting his career. Its still more likely than not he is a training camp cut or trade for a low round pick. But he has shown enough in practice to start at RT and both guard spots. Maybe just maybe he can improve enough to at least be interior depth.

 

As for trades, Hughes for what was given up has to be #1. In Bills history, Coussineau, Bennett and Diggs trades were franchise changing/defining deals as well.

We wouldn't be being back Bates on such a long term deal nor signed Stafford if thought Ford is anything more than a backup. He might end up off the 53 if we draft someone in first 4 rounds. 

[beerme1]

On 4/2/2022 at 10:51 AM, Ethan in Portland said:

Except Hughes is better than Basham, Lawson, and Epenesa still. He is still a quality player. I understand thus happens all the time and predicting when older veterans decline is as difficult as predicting which young players will improve  

However Epenesa looks like a complete bust and I would take Hughes back and cut Epenesa in a heart beat.

 

The only way I see Beane bringing Jerry back is at vet minimum. Kind of insulting to Jerry, and I don't think he would do it. In fact I doubt Beane would even offer it unless Jerry gets no offers and wants one more shot at winning it.

[Greatdane21]

New York giants one year deal

[FilthyBeast]

If you are an UFA not sure you can say goodbye since both sides have technically moved on.

 

I appreciate what he has meant to this team through the years and he certainly had a great stretch during the Marrone era. But there's a reason why Hughes hasn't been signed yet by another team and may only find himself a veteran type of minimum deal in the coming months closer to camp.

 

And unless he's willing to do that with another contender looking strictly for a depth/rotation guy his NFL career may very well be over.

 

 

[BobbyC81]

On 4/2/2022 at 7:51 AM, Ethan in Portland said:

Except Hughes is better than Basham, Lawson, and Epenesa still. He is still a quality player. I understand thus happens all the time and predicting when older veterans decline is as difficult as predicting which young players will improve  

However Epenesa looks like a complete bust and I would take Hughes back and cut Epenesa in a heart beat.

Bill Walsh said “It’s better to get rid of a player before he’s totally done”