Bills set to release veteran RB responsible for iconic moment in franchise history ahead of NFL free agency
As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the 2024 NFL free agency, cap casualties were always bound to happen. On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on one: The Bills plan to release running back Nyheim Hines next week after he missed all of the 2023 season with an ACL injury. Despite expectations for Hines to […]
As the Buffalo Bills gear up for the 2024 NFL free agency, cap casualties were always bound to happen.
On Sunday, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on one: The Bills plan to release running back Nyheim Hines next week after he missed all of the 2023 season with an ACL injury. Despite expectations for Hines to be back by training camp, he's expected to be let go.
The move itself will save the Bills $4.6 million in salary cap space. Although it's not an official transaction as of yet, it should be happening before March 18th, when a $500,000 roster bonus vests.
For the most part, Hines' time in Buffalo was quiet: he played nine games and had only six carries for a negative three yards on offense. He also had five catches for 53 yards.
However, he authored one of the most iconic and legendary moments in franchise history.
The week after Damar Hamlin's terrifying collapse in Monday Night Football of the 2022 season, Hines returned the opening kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown at Highmark Stadium as Bills Mafia went wild in the stands.
"This is storybook!" yelled Jim Nantz in the broadcast booth, perfectly putting into words the huge moment that took place on the field.
"I can't remember a play that touched me like that, I don't think in my life. It's probably No. 1," Allen told reporters that day.
Hines doubled down later in the game with another kickoff return touchdown, this time besting his own mark as he went for 101 yards to retake the lead on the scoreboard.
While emotions are high when it comes to a player who headlined such a special moment and somebody who suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury, the move itself is a smart one. The Bills are no strangers to doing cold business and this is the latest example.
The offense already has a number one back in James Cook and building depth will be easy to do in a flooded running back market in free agency and in an NFL Draft with plenty of valuable Day 2 running back prospects.
It's bittersweet, but GM Brandon Beane got this one right.
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