Jairus Byrd: Bills Actively Looking To Trade All-Pro Safety

Jairus Byrd may have played his last game with the Buffalo Bills.

The All-Pro safety has been out for the first five games of the year with plantar faciitis, a swelling of the foot that bothered him last season. Unhappy with the team’s inability to ink a long-term contract and with being given the franchise tag this year, Byrd had reportedly asked the team for a trade.

Now it looks like he’s getting his wish.

Reports from Buffalo say the Bills are actively shopping Byrd to potential suitors. If the team can get a draft pick in exchange for him that would be considered a bonus given that he is almost assuredly leaving the team after this season, when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

But the Bills may have a high asking price. If Byrd can come back to the field for the Bills and maintain his level of play from previous years, the team will be getting at least a fourth-round pick as compensation from the NFL when he leaves via free agency. If he makes the Pro Bowl, the Bills could be looking at a third-round pick.

The Bills have been preparing for the departure of Jairus Byrd, converting cornerback Aaron Williams to safety and drafting a pair of safeties in April. The team has already found success this year without Byrd, forcing five interceptions from Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco in an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens.

In all the team has been a surprise on defense, especially given the absence of Byrd and lockdown corner Stephon Gilmore.

Jairus Byrd was drafted in the second round in 2009 and turned in a Bills rookie record nine interceptions despite only starting 11 games. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that year, and in 2012 made second-team All-Pro.