The Buffalo Bills have been one of the most unsuccessful franchises when it comes to the playoffs in recent years and the team took steps to help build a stronger foundation in 2013 by using their franchise tag on safety Jairus Byrd by Monday's deadline.
According to ESPN.com, the team used the tag on Byrd and he will be paid a one-year contract worth $6.9 million as the average salary of the top safeties. The Bills could have allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent, but the team would like to keep him and possibly work out a long-term deal, something they will be able to do now with the tag.
Byrd was the first step for the Bills as the move through the offseason and up to the draft, as they have a number of players they need to sign and figure out how to build around. The team has a foundation in Mario Williams, CJ Spiller, Stevie Johnson and Fred Jackson and now Byrd will continue to be part of that group.
"We aren't talking about next steps, yet," Byrd's agent, Eugene Parker, told The Associated Press. "It's too early to talk about that."
Byrd is coming off of a Pro Bowl season and he has been one of the top players for the Bills on defense since being drafted out of Oregon, making 18 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in his four-year career. Over his time with the Bills, he has only missed two games and he has played in 16 games for each of the past three seasons.
He had a career high nine interceptions as a rookie and finished with five last season to go along with 76 tackles. Byrd has also been valuable as a returner, bringing back two kicks over his career for touchdowns. The Bills needed to hang onto Byrd, as they cut starting safety George Wilson earlier and need some consistency in the secondary heading forward.
Byrd is the leader of a solid secondary that includes Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin that was ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game. Byrd was targeted 21 times last season and did not allow a touchdown while counting for just $1.1 million on the cap for the Bills.
The Bills have been through a similar situation with Nate Clements in the past, as they franchised him before he eventually left in free agency to the San Francisco 49ers. The Bills went just 6-10 last season and could be looking for a new quarterback after a disappointing campaign from Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The team also has Tavaris Jackson on the roster, but new head coach Doug Marrone could decide to take a risk and trade for someone like Tim Tebow or Carson Palmer from the Raiders. Palmer is currently renegotiating his contract with the team and there is a chance they could decide to trade the quarterback and go with someone like Terrelle Pryor or a draft pick instead.
The Bills are trying to enter a new era with Marrone at the helm and a new quarterback could be the perfect remedy to bring winning to the franchise.
