2014 NFL Free Agency: Jairus Byrd Will Test Free Agency
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 17, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills free safety Jairus Byrd (31) celebrates his first half interception against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Let the dream begin. The Buffalo Bills have chosen not use the franchise tag on Jairus Byrd and it expected Byrd will be a free agent on March 11.
#Bills GM Doug Whaley's statement on S Jairus Byrd: “We’ve chosen not to use the franchise tag on any of our impending unrestricted FAs”
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 3, 2014
It is not too surprising Byrd will be hitting free agency, but there were some rumors the Bills would use the franchise tag on him against his wishes for a second time. Now we know his is available baring a last second change of heart from Byrd.
Byrd is one of the better cover free safeties in the NFL, which should make him a hot commodity in free agency. Should the Chiefs be able to create enough room, a tandem of Byrd and Eric Berry would be one of the best in the NFL. It would fix a lot of coverage issue the Chiefs saw in the secondary in the second half of the season and would make the defense much stronger.
However, this tandem would not be cheap. Berry is in line for a big payday soon, and Byrd should command one of the top contracts handed out this off-season. To make this work John Dorsey is going to have to find a way to make some cap room over the next couple of years. This likely means saying good-bye to someone like Tamba Hali next off-season.
Is it worth it?