After three years with the Colts, it didn’t look like Jerry Hughes was going to make good on the pass rushing potential that made him their first-round pick in 2010.
A change of scenery made all the difference. The Colts traded Hughes to the Bills before the 2013 season and have been rewarded with 20 sacks in the last two seasons as Hughes has proven a perfect fit with their other talented defensive linemen.
Hughes is set to become a free agent next month and said Wednesday on Sirius XM NFL Radio that he “absolutely” wants to remain in Buffalo. Coach Rex Ryan used the same word to describe the Bills’ desire for more of Hughes, which suggests that the franchise tag could be a possibility. It’s a possibility that leaves Hughes with conflicted feelings.
“I wouldn’t necessarily be disappointed,” Hughes said. “I do want [a long-term deal], but the pay increase is also a huge added bonus. It’s kind of a mixed emotions between both.”
The tag would be a big pay increase to the neighborhood of $14 million, which would eat up a big chunk of cap space for the Bills. That would seem to be impetus to work on a longer deal before the deadline to use the tag passes and Hughes draws close to finding out how much he can make on the open market.