Bills GM Whaley on Not Getting Long-Term Deal For Jairus Byrd

Oct. 14, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Buffalo Bills safety (31) Jairus Byrd intercepts the ball in overtime against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bills defeated the Cardinals 19-16 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills were not able to get a long-term deal done with Jairus Byrd this off-season and Byrd still has not signed his franchise tender. Byrd wanted a big payday this offseason and a long-term contract, but the two sides weren’t able to come to terms.

“We worked very hard to come to a long-term agreement with Jairus, but unfortunately, were unable to reach one before today’s deadline,” said Whaley. “Our attention will now be focused on a one-year agreement with him and on Training Camp with our continued efforts to prepare our team for the upcoming season.”

They worked really hard, but the Bills and Byrd didn’t speak for the final week approaching the deadline. The decision to move on with the one-year deal was set in stone for a long time. Both sides don’t want to budge from their stance and now the Bills will have to wait for Byrd to sign that franchise tender and get into camp.

Byrd will get that payday in the open market. He has to keep the performance high and stay away from the injury bug and he will get that long-term deal from someone.