After a solid season as a starter in 2024, Hughes returns.
Mike Hughes is back after a much improved second year in Atlanta.
The cornerback found a role on the boundary in the Atlanta Falcons zone-heavy scheme. Mike Hughes may have been the only player on Atlanta’s defense who took a step forward with Jimmy Lake’s arrival.
Sources: The #Falcons are finalizing a 3-year, $18M deal to bring back CB Mike Hughes to their secondary. pic.twitter.com/aq14ubBVmF
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 11, 2025
After being put in the slot under Nielsen’s man-heavy scheme, many fans (myself included) were skeptical about bringing the cornerback back. However, the team’s plan for him was well thought out, and Hughes showed that he could deliver competent play on the outside. Hughes was also a stout run defender and quite the thumper for a defensive back his size. High-effort veterans with established floors are the archetype Jerry Gray has been after since he arrived.
Naysayers will point to his 2-3 coverage busts that resulted in big plays, but unfortunately, coverage busts were a feature of Lake’s defense that even Jessie Bates fell victim to. That being said, Hughes’s contract accounts for his weaknesses. He’s inked for three years at the cost of one AJ Terrell contract year. That’s a digestible financial pill when Hughes has shown he can be a serviceable stopgap while offering good depth if/when the Falcons decide to spend a premium upgrading that position.
The Falcons still have a flurry of needs, and the market isn’t bare, but it’s undoubtedly picked over. Terry Fontenot is going to have to work some magic to improve this defense.