Former Bills’ Safeties Micah Hyde, George Wilson Return to Football With New Gigs

Although Hyde and Wilson played during different eras of Bills football, the two will be bringing more than 20 years of combined NFL experience and expertise to fans' screens this upcoming NFL season.

Former Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde waves to fans as they scream his name as he walks to the field on the second day of the Bills' training camp at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, on Monday, July 25, 2022. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Without a shadow of a doubt, it’s been a whirlwind in Western New York since that fateful day in January this past winter following the Buffalo Bills’ divisional-round debacle that took place against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, back on January 17.

Tears were shed in the locker room. Concerns were voiced at the podium through the media.

And, in the end, changes—which some might deem seismic—were made by Bills’ owner Terry Pegula this offseason.

But, sometimes change is good—sometimes it’s needed—because introducing a fresh perspective never hurts.

However, even with that said, there are at least a few faces making their way back into the lives of Bills Mafia everywhere this upcoming fall that fans will recognize quite well.

It’s not all new. 

There will be at least some familiarity coming to people’s screens again starting this August.

July 29, 2026; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady (right) speaks with general manager Brandon Beane (left) during training camp | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Buffalo says out with the old, in with the new . . . and old again?

How do those few sayings go again? 

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” “All roads lead home.” Yada yada: well, whatever phrase fans might fancy that carries a similar meaning, it would certainly hold true this summer for the Western New York organization and a few of its former players.

Back in July, Bills ON SI covered the story of how former Bills’ center Mitch Morse is making a move from being a one-time NFL offensive lineman to now covering the team this fall on the franchise’s radio program with analyst Chris Trapasso.

And, when the announcement was made, it was certainly a full-circle moment for Morse.

Nov. 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Former Buffalo Bills center Mitch Morse (60) stands in the tunnel before a past NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

But now, in addition to the 6-foot-6, 305-pound longtime pivot man making his way into the media sphere, it was recently announced that two other former Bills’ greats are also set to join him on the screen and in the airwaves of the Buffalo media landscape this upcoming preseason, regular season, and—hopefully—the postseason.

One is a recent fan favorite, while the other is a face that many Bills Mafia members will remember from when that term wasn’t even relevant.

Pair of playmaking safeties set to hit Bills Mafia’s screens everywhere this fall

The players?

Former Bills’ safeties Micah Hyde and George Wilson.

Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Former Buffalo Bills defenders George Wilson (37) and defensive tackle Alex Carrington (92) celebrate a missed field goal by former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely (3) in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Hyde, who signed on with the team via free agency in 2017 with—at that point in time—Buffalo’s rookie head coach Sean McDermott before going on to play seven total seasons in Orchard Park (2017-2023), will be joining the Buffalo Plus podcast on YouTube with reporters Jenna Cottrell, Dan Fetes, and Mike Catalana of the 13WHAM TV station in Rochester, New York.

It will be a weekly appearance during the season for Hyde, which comes on the heels of his brief return to Buffalo’s practice squad in December 2024.

The one-time Iowa Hawkeye, who also played for the Green Bay Packers (2013-2016) before joining the Bills, is a native of Fostoria, Ohio, and finished his NFL career with 644 total tackles, 66 pass deflections, 24 interceptions, 18 tackles for loss, nine fumble recoveries, eight quarterback hits, five sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown in 158 career regular season games according to Pro Football Reference.

In 17 postseason appearances, the 6-foot, 197-pound playmaking defensive back had 69 combined tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions, two quarterback hits, one sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery to his name.

Jan. 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Former longtime Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) takes the field before a playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round at the old Highmark Stadium | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Hyde insists he’s a Bill for life, which is why safety secured new media gig

It was an illustrious professional playing career for Hyde, to say the least, and now he’s ready to tackle his next post-NFL opportunity, which consists of being an attentive husband and father of three, as well as now covering a team on a weekly basis that he says was the one football organization that he’ll always consider himself a part of—for life—even if his current personal and professional habits are changing on the daily.

“I’ve been busier now than I’ve ever been in my life. (My wife and I) had our third child three months ago, so she’s keeping us on our toes,” former Bills’ safety turned media analyst Micah Hyde said during his first appearance on the Buffalo Plus podcast on August 5.

“I’m coaching flag football this year guys, (too). . . . We’ll see how it goes . . . but you guys are going to hear about it all year. I’m excited for you guys because there’s going to be some funny stories, and you guys will get to be very, very entertained. . . . I wish I had more years to help out the Bills organization, but unfortunately (I) was not able to . . . but I’ll always remember myself as ‘23’ for the Buffalo Bills.

“And, my whole family—even a lot of my friends and former teammates I was in Buffalo with—still call me ‘23’, right? So, that’s part of my identity (now).”

Dec. 26, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Former Buffalo Bills safety Micah Hyde (23) intercepts a pass intended for former New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) | USA TODAY Sports

Wilson feels welcomed in return to Buffalo after 14 years away

On that note, in addition to Hyde, the other former Bills’ safety joining the media ranks in Western New York this offseason—George Wilson—is also excited to get started with his latest professional endeavor, which will be as a co-host with Buffalo’s current team reporter Maddy Glab for a new Bills’ pregame and halftime show from inside the stadium on game days.

Wilson, a former undrafted free-agent signing of the Detroit Lions from the University of Arkansas who transitioned to safety once in the NFL en route to playing nine seasons with Buffalo from 2004 to 2012, will also be a part of the team’s postgame programming, which will be broadcast on Buffalo’s various social media platforms.

Much like it was previously mentioned with Morse and Hyde, it’s a surreal moment for the 45-year-old Paducah, Kentucky, native, who finished his NFL playing career with 526 total tackles, 14 interceptions, six quarterback hits, five fumble recoveries, four-and-a-half sacks, three forced fumbles, and one interception returned for a touchdown in 124 career games.

Wilson, whose former teammates nicknamed “The Senator”, also played two seasons with the Tennessee Titans in 2013 and 2014.

Dec. 9, 2007; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former Buffalo Bills safety (37) George Wilson heads for the end zone on a 20-yard fumble return for a touchdown during the first quarter of a past NFL game against the Miami Dolphins | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He was also teammates with current Bills’ defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard while the two played in Buffalo together from 2005 to 2007, so there’s certainly no shortage of precious intimate information to go around from the former 6-foot, 210-pound collegiate receiver turned NFL defender. 

Unlike Hyde and Morse, however, Wilson never experienced the high that comes along with playoff football during his playing days.

So, needless to say, this upcoming season is—if all things play out right—going to be an absolute treat to watch, and talk about, for the one-time Arkansas Razorback, Buffalo Bill, and Tennessee Titan playmaker.

“You guys (in Western New York) have always welcomed me with open arms, and I’m just excited to be back in the fold in an official capacity and just be a part of the team as we go into the new stadium. 

“This outlook on the season’s great, and (I’m) just excited to be back around the organization and in the Western New York community,” George Wilson said when speaking on One Bills Live with hosts Chris Brown and Steve Tasker on Thursday, August 6, following the conclusion of Buffalo’s second to last training camp session at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, New York, at the end of last week.

Oct. 19, 2008; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Former Buffalo Bills safety George Wilson (37) celebrates with fans after a victory against the San Diego Chargers at the venue formerly known as Ralph Wilson Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I’ve seen it on television, but now—to be able to do it and experience it myself—it’s something I’m looking forward to: adding to the game-day experience for Bills Mafia as they come and see our beloved Bills play on Sundays. . . . I’m just excited to be back.”

Wilson’s first opportunity will come in short order.

Despite the fanbase’s incredible record turnout for the “Return of the Blue & Red” scrimmage in Buffalo’s southeastern suburb on August 8, the Bills will officially kick the preseason off this upcoming Saturday at the team’s brand new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, with a game against the Carolina Panthers.

Kickoff for the exhibition matchup is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET.

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