When we talk about the most acclaimed, impressive careers in the National Football League, a name you will seldom is that of 15 year pro, Jerry Hughes.
Perhaps it’s because he has never been to the Pro Bowl.
Hughes has been a staple of the NFL D-Line diet after putting himself firmly on the the league’s map in 2013 when he registered 10 sacks for the Buffalo Bills, following that up with another 10 a year later in 2014, by then entrenched as a starting defensive end.
Jerry Hughes: Mr Reliable
Yet, despite missing only 2 games since 2012 – and starting all others but 1 since 2014, Hughes has been consistently overlooked both in the personal accolades and the lore of the league, with even semi-knowledgeable fans giving a puzzled look at the mention of his name and storied career.
Even at 34 years of age in 2022, the Texas native managed to compile an impressive 9 sacks, easily the leader in the category for the then 3-13-1 Houston Texans.
Although Jerry Hughes was replaced as a starter for the first time in a decade for the 2023 season, aged 35, for 3rd overall pick and eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year, Will Anderson Jr., generating 32 tackles – his most since the 2018 season, alongside 4 tackles for loss and 3 sacks; highly respectable numbers for a 14 year veteran.
At the expiration of his contract, the Texans did not immediately re-sign the ex-TCU man to an extension, wary of the wear and tread of a player playing a highly physical position in what will be his age-36 year. However, it seems like Houston has had a change of heart, per Aaron Wilson.
#Texans re-signed veteran defensive end Jerry Hughes, a Sugar Land native who had three sacks last season after recording nine sacks and 10 quarterback hits two seasons ago. More @KPRC2 https://t.co/yGuTDBFR26 https://t.co/iAy9f4mZdn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 8, 2024
Houston Texans Re-Sign Jerry Hughes To Play In His 15th Season
The most remarkable facet of Jerry Hughes’ Frank Gore-esque career is undoubtedly his air of (and I promise I am not trying to jinx him) indestructibility in his 1.5 decades in the professional game.
The next however, is his lack of recognition; it may well be that Hughes has made a conscious effort to stay out of the headlines and media in order to live a fairly normal life and enjoy his almost $90 million in career earnings.
The aforementioned Gore is considered a surefire Hall of Famer, whilst Hughes will likely barely get a look in.
True, 70 sacks across 14 seasons is hardly spectacular, averaging out to just 5 a season, but when you break it down and see such consistently impressive, starting-level production for such a long time , you cannot feel anything but awe. Especially considering how hard it is to get a starting job in the NFL, let along keep one for 9 years.
Hughes returns to the Texans will be a boon to a edge rushing group that was slightly thin behind starters Anderson Jr. and free agency acquisition, Danielle Hunter, and give a strong locker room, veteran presence for head coach, DeMeco Ryans.
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