Bills’ McDermott on Hyde, Poyer Era: ‘Lottery!’
The Buffalo Bills ushered in a new era of football under head coach Sean McDermott in 2017. Headlined by quarterback Josh Allen, its core of veterans became staples of Western New York, putting forth six playoff runs in seven years, assuming things fall their way on Sunday.
Yet, no core, no matter how beloved, is exempt from the passage of time. Safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer are two of the five players to reside in Buffalo for the entire McDermott Era. Joined by linebacker Matt Milano, corner Tre’Davious White, and left tackle Dion Dawkins, the duo is etched into the fabric of Buffalo football.
Aug 19, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Buffalo Bills safeties Dean Marlowe (31) and Micah Hyde (23) and Jordan Poyer (21) take the field to warm up before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
With both on the wrong side of 30 and lacking long-term deals, their time with the Bills may soon come to an end.
McDermott emotionally spoke about the two on Wednesday as he reflected on their tenures in Buffalo.
“I just feel so indebted to those guys, coming in seven years ago like you said,” McDermott said. “The work that they’ve done, the work they’ve put in that nobody sees – even I don’t see sometimes – and how important this team and this organization is to them.”
The two have held down the defensive backfield for the better part of a decade, combining for 38 interceptions in seven years. They’ve made countless plays and three All-Pro nods, but McDermott made sure their character and leadership were emphasized.
“To watch them run out of the tunnel, along with when they grabbed Taron to run with them, I think that says everything about who they are as people and who they are as professionals,” he said.
This season may be their final chance to bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo. The next step in that journey will come in Miami Gardens when the Bills clash with the Miami Dolphins. The final game of the regular season – perhaps their last as teammates – could bring another AFC title home.
Hyde was limited for Wednesday’s practice.
Regardless of Sunday’s outcome or the playoffs it precedes, McDermott is grateful for their contributions. Bills Mafia surely is, too. Seven years of strong play in the secondary is nothing to sniff at. Their consistency and versatility have long been the glue for McDermott’s defense.
“They’ve just done a fabulous job,” McDermott said. “If I knew then that they’d go on to do what they’ve done over those seven years, we hit the lottery a little bit right there.”
