Tennessee Titans defensive back Kevin Byard has been one of the best safeties in the NFL since 2017. As the Titans seemingly head into a partial rebuild, the 29-year-old safety is contemplating his future with the team.
After firing general manager Job Robinson in December, Tennessee replaced him with San Francisco 49ers executive Ran Carthon. The new Titans’ general manager immediately began overhauling the roster, cutting ties with many of the veterans on the team.
- Kevin Byard stats (career): 63 pass deflections, 27 interceptions, 19 QB hits
Byard survived the roster purge that saw Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones and Robert Woods leave the franchise. However, the All-Pro safety’s future in Tennesse isn’t guaranteed. The Titans are tight against the NFL salary cap for a team with low playoff odds and there is a long-term incentive to trade Byard this summer.
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Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler indicated that Byard is open to a trade if the Titans are unwilling to pay him at his salary. While the 29-year-old would prefer to stay in Tennessee, that’s only the case if the team doesn’t ask him to take a pay cut.
“This is one I’m watching. We talked about Budda Baker earlier as being available, high-end safety. This is another one where he’s not necessarily available via trade that he’s being shopped, but something could give with his contract…This is a player who wants to retire in Tennessee, wants to stay there, but he believes he’s been playing at a high level for years, which he has been, his play hasn’t dropped off. So, he’s not eager to take any sort of pay cut. Something has to give, and I do think at the end of the day he would be open to a trade if the Titans wanted to explore it.”
Jeremy Fowler on Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard
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Byard ranks ninth in average annual value ($14.1 million) among the highest-paid NFL safeties. While he has the highest 2023 cap hit at his position, there are only two years remaining on his contract. With the market for safeties increasing, Tennessee’s willingness to pay him will dictate Byard’s future in Tennessee.
- Kevin Byard contract: $19.623 million cap hit (2023), $13.6 million salary in 2023
Based on the Titans’ offseason moves under first-year general manager Ran Carthon, it’s possible they would be open to moving Byard. While the All-Pro safety clearly isn’t a player they are actively putting on the trade block, the right offer could potentially land him.
Best Kevin Byard trade landing spots
The Titans would have an excellent opportunity if they decided to trade Byard. Not only does the 2023 NFL Draft lack a high-end prospect at safety, the position also isn’t especially deep. As a result, Byard and Budda Baker are the best options for teams thin at the position.
- Philadelphia Eagles: After reaching the Super Bowl, Philadelphia lost a majority of its safeties in NFL free agency. It creates a massive need at the position and given the importance safety plays in the Eagles’ defense, Byard is a perfect fit. While general manager Howie Roseman will likely look into trading for either Byard or Baker, there might be an additional incentive to target Byard considering he was born in Philadelphia.
- Cincinnati Bengals: The Cincinnati Bengals are willing to be aggressive for the right player and it’s not like Byard is only willing to play under a new contract. The All-Pro safety is happy to take the field on his $14 million salary, so there’s no risk here for Cincinnati. Byard excels in pass coverage and that’s exactly what the Bengals’ defense needs, especially if it draws an AFC Championship Game rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Green Bay Packers: While the Green Bay Packers aren’t an all-in team this season, there’s a strong case to be made they have the least talent at safety in the NFL. Kevin Byard would be an instant-impact defender, strengthening Green Bay’s pass defense and making life easier for Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes. Add him to the talent already assembled and the Packers would have a top-10 defense in 2023, which is especially helpful when you’re starting a young quarterback.
