Jairus Byrd trade rumors: Bills open to a deal, per report

Now that safety Jairus Byrd appears set to return to the Buffalo Bills' starting lineup, reports are surfacing that the Bills are open to trading the franchise-tagged safety.

Bills know wisest course of action is to trade franchise S Jairus Byrd and they now are open to dealing him, per sources. Talks ongoing.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2013

Byrd, as you're well aware, missed the entire preseason in a contract dispute with the Bills, and has subsequently missed the team's first five games upon his return with plantar fasciitis in both feet. Bills head coach Doug Marrone told reporters after Thursday night's loss in Cleveland that Byrd was healthy enough to play in Week 5, and that the team will work to get him into the starting lineup for next Sunday's home date with Cincinnati.

What isn't clear is exactly how much interest the Bills will see for Byrd on the open market. Teams will certainly be interested, but they'll also be trading for a player that wants to become one of the highest-paid players in the league next off-season - and because of franchise tag rules, the team acquiring him would not be able to negotiate a new deal until after the season.

Schefter reports that talks are "ongoing," however, so perhaps they're already receiving interest for the 27-year-old two-time Pro Bowler. The NFL's trade deadline is 4PM ET on Tuesday, October 29.