Titans trading All-Pro safety Byard to Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans, the team announced Monday.
The 6-1 Eagles will send fifth- and sixth-round selections in 2024 as well as safety Terrell Edmunds in exchange.
Byard has appeared in 120 games since being drafted by the Titans in the third round in 2016. He established himself as one of the NFL's most consistent safeties, having recorded 27 career interceptions, including a league-high eight in 2017.
The 30-year-old has never missed a game in eight NFL seasons. He also recorded 674 tackles and 63 pass breakups while earning two Pro Bowl berths and two first-team All-Pro nods with Tennessee.
In six games this season, Byard has amassed 47 tackles and allowed a 99.8 passer rating in 22 targets, according to Football Reference.
Byard and the Titans were at a crossroads during the offseason after Tennessee asked the veteran defensive back to take a pay cut, which he declined. The two sides ultimately agreed on a restructured two-year contract in July that included an $11-million base salary. He's signed through the 2024 season, according to Spotrac.
Byard thanked the Titans and their fans in a statement Monday.
"It was a dream come true to be a Tennessee Titan," he wrote.
The safety position has been a priority for the Eagles this year after the team lost C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Epps, and K'Von Wallace in the offseason. The team signed Edmunds in March, but the former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back lacked consistency with Philadelphia.
Philly is also dealing with injuries at the position. Reed Blankenship missed Sunday night's win over the Miami Dolphins due to a rib ailment and Justin Evans was recently placed on injured reserve with a knee ailment.
Multiple Eagles players reacted to the Byard trade on social media, including receiver A.J. Brown - a former teammate of Byard - and cornerback Darius Slay.
๐ Just got better letโs work @KevinByard yes sir!!!
โ Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) October 23, 2023
The move signals a potential big rebuild for the 2-4 Titans, who are now likely to be sellers ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline. Other star Tennessee players have also been linked as potential trade candidates, including running back Derrick Henry and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.