The Buffalo Bill used their franchise tag on Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd last season, much to the chagrin of the player himself. But while the team failed to hash out a long-term deal with Byrd, they apple ready to use the franchise tag on hims yet again, something that would displease the safety even further.
According to Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, the Bills are very much considering the tag on Byrd which would complicate things elsewhere in the league.
The #Bills still want to do a deal with S Jairus Byrd. If not, I’m told they plan to franchise tag him. Won’t let him get away for nothing
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 22, 2014
The issue here is that not only would this send Byrd over the edge, but it would halt any sort of pursuit the Browns have of Byrd. It was reported that Cleveland could make a run at acquiring Bryd but a franchise tag form the Bills would put an end to any hope of that happening.