The Buffalo Bills have re-signed free agent defensive lineman Jerry Hughes, according to Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. Hughes and the Bills agreed to a five-year deal worth $45 million with $20 million guaranteed.
Jerry Hughes re-signs with Buffalo Bills
The Bills aren’t letting the defensive lineman get away in free agency.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Hughes spent the last two seasons with Buffalo, where he developed into a valuable pass rusher following three quiet seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He managed 10.0 sacks in 2013 and 9.5 sacks in 2014, making him one of the more coveted pass rushers on the market.
Hughes was the No. 31 overall pick by the Colts in the 2010 NFL Draft, but injuries limited his first two seasons and he only managed four sacks in his final year with the Colts in 2012. He was ultimately labeled a disappointment, but came into his own with the Bills over the past two seasons.
Going from potentially being labeled a first-round bust to hitting free agency as one of the better defensive players on the market is a big deal. Some thought the Bills might use the franchise tag on Hughes, but the tag would have paid him $14.8 million. Still, the Bills were always noted for having significant interest in getting Hughes signed to a long-term contract.
Hughes has 161 tackles, 24.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in five seasons in the NFL.
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