Pro Bowl free safety Jairus Byrd and the Buffalo Bills have finally reached middle ground. Byrd signed the $6.9 million franchise tender following the team’s final evening practice of training camp on Monday. The franchise tender did not contain a no tag provision, which means the Bills will have another year to workout a long term contract with him.
First year general manager Doug Whaley had told media there was no progress regarding the Byrd negotiations earlier in the day. He did, however, have this to say “[He’s missed] a lot of the tempo of practice, so he’s going to have some ground to make up, but he’s a professional. I know he’ll come in here ready to work and try to contribute as soon as possible.”
Jairus Byrd has been a playmaking free safety for the Bills since being drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft. Byrd is tied for first in the NFL in interceptions (18) and forced fumbles (10) by a safety since 2009.
According to BuffaloBills.com, Byrd will not attend the final day of training camp at St. John Fisher College and it is unclear if he will play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
He will have to overcome missing the entire training camp and learning a new, intricate defense in a shortened window.
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