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The New Orleans Saints are preparing to release veteran safety Jairus Byrd on the first day of the NFL's 2017 free-agency period.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Herbie Teope of the Times-Picayune reported the news. Free agency begins March 9.
Byrd, 30, spent the last three years in New Orleans. He recorded 82 tackles and two interceptions while playing all 16 games in 2016. Signed to a six-year, $56 million contract before the 2014 season, Byrd was unable to fulfill the Saints' need for a defensive cornerstone and was becoming a cap albatross.