Getty Former Indianapolis Colts running back Nyheim Hines leaves a Kansas City Chiefs defender in the dust in 2019.
The Kansas City Chiefs traded for an exciting new playmaker at the November 1 deadline. Unfortunately, so did the AFC rival Buffalo Bills — who KC might have to go through to get back to the Super Bowl in 2022.
In a move with the Indianapolis Colts, the Bills acquired pass-catching running back Nyheim Hines. To many, this was a scary midseason addition, considering Buffalo’s potent attack and Hines’ versatile skill set that should boost them on both offense and special teams.
The Bills adding Nyheim Hines to their offense
Even Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. recognized the significance of this trade on social media.
Willie Gay Reacts to Bills Trade for Nyheim Hines
After the NFL announced the Hines deal on Instagram, Gay’s reaction caught some attention in the comment section. It was just a bunch of shocked-looking emojis, but it was enough to blow up for over 400 likes and counting.
Instagram/NFLWillie Gay Jr. comments on Nyheim Hines to Buffalo trade.
It’s no surprise that Gay, a linebacker, respects an asset like Hines. After all, his position is generally asked to pick up receiving running backs out of the backfield, whether it be on a screen or some sort of route.
Gay, in particular, is known for his instincts and his ability in coverage. If the Chiefs do matchup with the Bills again in 2022, it will likely be the third-year linebacker who is charged with guarding him more often than not.
Since entering the league as a fourth-round selection in 2018, the Colts have played the Chiefs three times including the 2022 loss in Week 3. During those contests, Hines has only run for 30 yards off eight hand-offs (3.75 yards per carry).
He has been better as a receiver, with nine catches for 69 yards. In one of the three outings, Hines also returned a punt for 10 yards but overall, Kansas City has done a pretty good job of containing the elusive backfield weapon — historically speaking.
NFL Community Reacts to Nyheim Hines Trade
Good Morning Football’s Michael Robinson was among those touting the move for Hines after it was announced.
“Just think about this guys,” Robinson began on Twitter, taking viewers through a hypothetical situation, “as Josh Allen drops back, as Josh Allen drops back and he surveys the entire football field — the defenses drop seven or eight defenders so he has all day — and he’s checking around, guys are covered. Stefon Diggs is covered, okay Gabe Davis is covered, okay Dawson Knox is covered, down to the check-down Nyheim Hines — a guy that can make anybody in the National Football League miss. Boom! Touchdowns, check-downs, touchdowns, check-downs. Bills Mafia, stand all the way up, I love this trade.”
Great move by my @BuffaloBills!! Getting MORE explosive with the @TheNyNy7 addition. Has returner ability too! Surround @JoshAllenQB with weapons!! Dude will have plenty of help come playoff time! 😤💪🏾💯 @nflnetwork
Ex-Colts teammate turned podcaster Pat McAfee hyped up Hines as well, calling him “f****** explosive” and a player that Buffalo fans will quickly grow to love.
“Nobody’s going to talk about it, but Nyheim Hines is going to become a f****** weapon for the Buffalo Bills,” McAfee added later. “If he has any space at all, he’s gone.”
NFL running back and former AFC South competitor Leonard Fournette also noted that Hines is “gonna be a great contributor to that offense” during a spot with The 33rd Team.
On the media side, Fox Sports reporter Ralph Vacchiano commented: “Just what the Buffalo Bills needed … another weapon.”
Establish the Run’s Adam Levitan also detailed accurately that the “Bills [were] relentless in pursuit of [a] pass-down back” from attempting to sign J.D. McKissic in free agency to drafting James Cook and then trading for Hines.
Now they finally have an experienced one and make no mistake, Buffalo’s offense just got a whole lot more difficult to stop come playoff time.