Free agent Jairus Byrd is aiming to become one of the NFL's highest-paid safeties when he hits the open market Tuesday. A source tells ESPN.com Byrd is seeking a long-term deal in the range of $9 million per season.
Byrd, 27, is coming off his third Pro Bowl season with the Buffalo Bills, recording 48 tackles and four interceptions. Talks broke down with Buffalo last week, and other teams have been free to negotiate with Byrd since Saturday.
If the market is strong enough for Byrd, he could challenge the Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Berry as the league's highest-paid safety. Berry signed a six-year, $60 million contract in 2010.
Other safeties such as Dashon Goldson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Eric Weddle of the San Diego Chargers recently signed free-agent contracts that averaged at least $8 million per season. Byrd has a good chance to surpass that number.
NFL Network reported over the weekend that the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams are two teams showing early interest in Byrd.
