Safety Jairus Byrd became the New Orleans Saints’ latest cap casualty. The Saints released the 30-year-old safety after three seasons, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Byrd, a three-time Pro Bowler, signed a six-year, $56 million deal with New Orleans in 2014 and was scheduled to make just under $8 million in 2017.
Saints release safety Jairus Byrd due to lack of production
Byrd isn’t the player he used to be in Buffalo.
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
After playing the first four games in his debut season with the Saints, Byrd suffered a torn lateral meniscus during a Thursday practice. The team placed him on injured reserve the next day.
From 2015 to 2016, Byrd played in 29 games but did not produce at a high level. He racked up 135 tackles and three interceptions in that span.
After a poor outing against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 of last season, head coach Sean Payton benched Byrd for the team’s Week 4 matchup against the then-San Diego Chargers.
However, Byrd looked like his old self towards the end of the season. In fact, Payton said this: “I’d say in the last six weeks, he’s played as good of football as we’ve seen now, and that’s encouraging.”
Releasing Byrd was a move New Orleans felt it had to make. His stint with the Saints has been riddled with injuries and inconsistent play. He was one of the most consistent players in the NFL before he signed a huge deal with New Orleans.
Byrd spent his first five seasons with the Buffalo Bills. In those five seasons, he registered 22 interceptions and forced 11 fumbles. He had a knack for creating turnovers and making game-changing plays.
Now that Byrd is officially a free agent, he can look forward to signing with a new team.
See More:
