Jerry Hughes Has Resigned with the Bills

Source: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

Source: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

The Twittersphere has been buzzing about which free agent is going where since the legal tampering period began on Saturday. Of course no deals are “official” until the start of free agency on tuesday. However, one that does seem like a done deal is the report that pass rusher Jerry Hughes has resigned with the team. Ian Rapaport has the expected details of the contract.

There is no doubt that Hughes is a great pass rusher, totaling 10 sacks in each of his last two seasons with the Bills. However, last year they played in a 3-4 scheme that allowed Hughes to exclusively rush the passer. Rex Ryan will most likely bring his 4-3 scheme with him to Buffalo, meaning that Hughes is either gonna have to be a third down pass rusher or he is going to have to try to play in pass coverage. In the past, Hughes hasn’t exactly been good in pass coverage, that’s what got him traded from the Colts to the Bills in the first place. So either way you look at it, $9 million per year doesn’t really seem like a good price to pay for someone that will either not play up to their full potential or will only play on certain downs.

Perhaps the Bills should’ve saved their money and spent it elsewhere, perhaps drafting a pass rusher if necessary. The Bills do have some other needs, considering they already have Marcel Dareus, Kyle Williams and Mario Williams. They could’ve perhaps gone after Brian Hoyer, who has proved to be able to play at a starting caliber. Kyle Orton retired and E.J. Manuel just hasn’t lived up to the hype. They could’ve also used a free safety, whether it be resigning Da’Norris Searcy, or looking for a replacement. Keep in mind that they still have some cap space to sign players like these, but signing Hughes to a deal that big seemed like a strange move for Buffalo at this time.