Kevin Byard: All-Pro safety from the Tennessee Titans acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles
The Titans (2-4) and the Eagles (6-1) will trade safety Terrell Edmunds and fifth- and sixth-round draft picks in 2024, if both players clear physicals. This is not the first time the two clubs have transacted; in 2022, standout receiver AJ Brown was traded to the Eagles in an unexpected draft day transaction.
If both players pass their physicals, the Eagles will send safety Terrell Edmunds and fifth and sixth round draft selections in 2024 to the Titans.
A week after Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed his displeasure with many injuries at safety, including those to Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, and Justin Evans, the Eagles and Titans announced the deal on Monday night.
Byard, who was selected to the All-Pro team in 2017 and 2021, has made 111 straight starts. Byard is second in the NFL with 27 interceptions since being selected in 2016. Philadelphia was his birthplace, but as a teenager, he relocated to Atlanta.
Byard congratulated the organisation and the Titans supporters in a social media message. “You embraced my family and me with open arms from day one, and it’s a blessing to be a part of this community,” he wrote in his letter.
“You have an unequalled amount of passion and intensity for every game. We made Middle Tennessee our home, and we will always remain here. Being a Tennessee Titan was a dream come true.
The Eagles and Titans have a history together. On draft day in 2022, wide receiver AJ Brown was moved to Philadelphia in exchange for first and third-round draft picks, in what was considered a shocking trade.
Under general manager Ran Carthon, who took over a difficult salary cap situation, the Titans are in their first season. Carthon may try to make further moves in order to clear money for 2024.
Ryan Tannehill, the quarterback, and Derrick Henry, the running back, are the only players on the team have greater salary cap figures than Byard for the remainder of the season.
Tannehill, who signed a four-year, $118 million contract before the 2020 season, is in the final year of that agreement with a $36.6 million cap number. Henry will pay a $16.4 million cap charge in 2023.
After defeating the Miami Dolphins 31-17 on Sunday night, Philadelphia climbed to 6-1 and tied the NFL’s best record with the Kansas City Chiefs, the victors of the Super Bowl. In contrast, the Titans (2-4) are in the midst of rebuilding after dropping 11 of their previous 13 games dating back to the previous campaign.
