Following a move from the cornerback position, Aaron Williams quickly became the Buffalo Bills' No. 2 safety. Now, No. 2 needs to convince No. 1 to stick around.
Considering the offseason that teammate and fellow safety Jairus Byrd had last year, Williams would be remiss to think contract negotiations will be a smooth process this time around.
Given the output the two were able to churn out with the backfield in 2013, however, Williams will likely try is best to keep the Pro Bowler around for the long haul.
"A lot of people have been hassling me about calling Jairus," Williams told WGR 550 this week, via buffalobills.com. "I’m going to be totally honest with you. I would love for my boy to come back.
"We’re the best safety duo in the league in my opinion. I don’t think any other safeties who had the numbers that we did this year."
In fact, Williams and Byrd were tied for the most interceptions of any safety tandem in the league (8), and they held opposing receivers to a completion rate of less than 55 percent, according to ProFootballFocus.
General manager Doug Whaley has already stated the team will start at the top of their priority list when it comes to the team's free agents, and Byrd is likely right at the top of that list. He's also stated the ongoing negotiations with Byrd are "nothing personal" and "just business."
If the team goes the same route as last season, it'll cost a little more than $8.2 million to franchise Byrd. Meanwhile, Williams is set to make $1.09 million in 2014 and is currently rehabbing from an undisclosed surgery earlier this month.
"I put my opinion on it and let it go and hopefully it goes in my favor and the team’s favor."
