NFL veteran cornerback Mike Hughes signed a new contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Hughes, a former first-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Detroit Lions but has also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs.
Mike Hughes is now expected to sign with the #Falcons, sources say. Another defensive addition for ATL. https://t.co/plUOe8TljT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 20, 2023
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons, Agree to Contract
After signing a one-year deal in the offseason, Mike Hughes spent the 2022 season with the Detroit Lions. Appearing in 16 games while making six starts, the cornerback finished the season with one pass defended, 52 tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and two quarterback hits. The Lions themselves had a surprisingly successful season, going 9-8 and missing the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.
Mike Hughes originally entered the NFL as a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings, the Central Florida product only appeared in six games (two starts) before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. While on the field, the rookie recorded one interception, three passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, 22 tackles, and one tackle-for-loss.
Hughes returned to the field in 2019, but was unable to claim a starting role on the defense. Appearing in 14 games, the cornerback finished the year with one interception, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles, 45 tackles, and one tackle-for-loss. The 2020 season was another disappointing one, as the corner suffered a season-ending injury after just four games. The Vikings declined the fifth-year option in his contract, setting Mike Hughes to hit free agency after the 2021 season.
Prior to the start of 2021, the Vikings traded Hughes to the Kansas City Chiefs. Playing in all 17 games while making five starts, Mike Hughes finished the final year of his rookie contract by recording one interception, six passes defended, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 47 tackles. The Chiefs themselves made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Main Photo: David Reginek – USA Today Sports
