Bills DE Jerry Hughes on hometown discount: 'I've never heard of that'
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes said he is not interested in taking a hometown discount to re-sign with the team this offseason, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.
Since being traded to the Bills before the 2013 season, Hughes has 20.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble returned for a touchdown. He just completed his five-year rookie deal after being a first-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2010.
The 26-year-old free agent said he wants to return to Buffalo next season, but the team will have to pay him more than a hometown discount.
“I’ve never heard of that,” he said with a smile last week as players cleaned out their lockers.
Filled in on the concept – that a free agent may take less money to stay in a favorable situation with a team he likes – Hughes wasn’t biting.
“That’s a nice little deal to throw out there,” he said, “but yeah, I’ve never heard of a hometown discount in the business world.”
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Hughes also said he would not have a problem with the team using the franchise tag on him. This season the franchise tag paid defensive ends more than $13.1 million.
Before joining the Bills, Hughes had just 5.0 sacks in three seasons with the Colts after being the No. 31 pick in the 2010 draft.
The Bills defense finished No. 4 in both yards and points allowed this season. They led the league with 54.0 sacks as a team as Mario Williams (14.5), Marcell Dareus (10.0) and Hughes (10.0) each reached double digits.
Buffalo finished 9-7 and head coach Doug Marrone opted out of his contract after the season ended.
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- Paul Palladino
