Bills willing to use franchise tag to keep Jairus Byrd

The Buffalo Bills say they're willing and able to use a franchise tag to retain free safety Jairus Byrd.

He was franchised a year ago. It could wind up happening again.

It would cost the Bills $8.3 million to franchise Byrd, which is $120 percent of last year's $6.9 million franchise tag. Ideally, the Bills would work out a long-term deal with Byrd rather than have to spend that much.

“We have to leave every option on the table open,” Bills general manager Doug Whaley told the Bills' official website. “When you’re trying to keep a good player you’re going to try every means necessary to keep him. The salary cap will not prohibit us from getting done what we need to get done. So we are very comfortable.”

Follow me on Twitter: @RavensInsider

Aaron WIlson covers the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun

Aaron Wilson
Aaron Wilson covers the NFL for National Football Post, his second stint at the Post. He has previously written for Pro Football Talk and FOX Sports-Scout. Entering his 13th year covering the Baltimore Ravens, he's a beat writer for The Baltimore Sun. Wilson has also covered the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.

Upcoming Games