Bills decide against placing franchise tag on Jerry Hughes

One year after fielding the most dominant defensive front in the NFL, the Buffalo Bills may soon have a need to address on the edge.

With Monday's franchise tag deadline now passed, the Bills have opted against using the one-year designation on impending free agent Jerry Hughes.

Hughes was thought to be a candidate for the tender after two breakout seasons for the Bills, during which he tallied a total of 19.5 sacks, but he now appears set to reach the free-agent market.

Though the Bills will still have the ability to negotiate a long-term deal with the 26-year-old both before and after free agency officially opens March 10, other teams' involvement in the bidding process could certainly impact their chances.

After Justin Houston and Jason Pierre-Paul received the franchise tag from their respective teams Monday, Hughes has become arguably the top available edge rusher on the free-agent market, and he's likely in line to be paid accordingly.