Citing a source, ESPN's James Walker is reporting that the Buffalo Bills have approached the representation for impending free agent safety Jairus Byrd about hammering out a new contract between the two sides.

Byrd, 26, is enjoying a Pro Bowl caliber campaign in his fourth season as a former second-round pick out of Oregon. In 57 career games, Byrd has amassed 17 interceptions (nine of which came as a rookie, and four of which have come this season) as well as nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, two touchdowns and two sacks. As of Wednesday, Byrd ranked second in the AFC in Pro Bowl voting amongst free safeties, trailing only Ed Reed of Baltimore.

Buffalo has made a habit of re-signing players under the direction of GM Buddy Nix. From the start of the 2011 season through this past summer, the Bills handed new contracts to no less than 13 players, a list including such higher-profile names (with higher-profile deals) as Ryan Fitzpatrick, Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Scott Chandler and Kyle Williams.

Byrd appears to be next on Nix's list to re-sign, but there's more work to do beyond that: Andy Levitre, Kyle Moore and Leodis McKelvin are some of the bigger names on a lengthy list of impending free agents, as well.