In case you weren’t sure when the Bills allowed it to be known they were open to the idea of moving Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd, Bills General Manager Doug Whaley just let the league know that operators are standing by.
While saying he wasn’t actively shopping Byrd, whatever that means, he admitted he’s willing to listen if somebody wanted to trade for him.
“Our focus right now is Jairus getting on the field and playing the best he can for the Buffalo Bills,” Whaley said, via the Associated Press. “We are not actively on the phone hammering out trying to look for a trade. By the same token, [team president] Russ Brandon would listen if someone wanted to trade.
“So if the phone rings, we’re going to listen. But that doesn’t mean we’re out trying to trade.”
It would help if Byrd has actually taken the field, with the Oct. 29 deadline fast approaching. But foot problems, after an early bout of contract grumpiness, has kept him off the field so far.
But rather than give away all leverage, Whaley said there was still a chance they could re-sign Byrd after his one-year franchise tender expires.
“Absolutely, I mean there’s always a possibility,” Whaley said. “It’s one of those things where you can never say never. Will he be on the team? We hope so. We’re not sure, but we’re going to do everything that’s best for the Buffalo Bills in the future.”
And it sounds more and more like they’re willing to envision a future that doesn’t include Byrd.