On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that the New Orleans Saints were expected to release safety Jairus Byrd at the beginning of the new league year. Byrd had been scheduled to make $7.4 million in salary this season.
Byrd was a turnover machine during his best years with the Buffalo Bills, notching 22 interceptions, 33 passes defended, forcing 11 fumbles, and recovering five fumbles in 73 games over five seasons after being a second round pick out of Oregon. In his rookie season, he picked off nine passes, etching into fans’ brains that he would be a force.