After much speculation about his financial future, Kevin Byard has agreed to a reworked contract. The All-Pro safety restructured his Titans deal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Byard will see his base salary dropped from $14M to $11M, Rapoport notes, but incentives will allow him to earn back the difference. This move puts to rest questions related to the 29-year-old’s short-term standing with the organization after new general manager Ran Carthon unsuccessfully attempted to work out a pay cut with Byard in March. Tennessee parted ways with several costly veterans this offseason but the two-time Pro Bowler remains under contract through 2024.
Despite the pay cut request, Byard made it clear last month that he was not looking for a trade out of Tennessee, his only home during his seven-year career. The former third-rounder remains one of the league’s most productive safeties and delivered another strong performance in 2022 with 108 tackles and four interceptions. He will be counted on as an anchor of the Titans’ secondary once again this season.
Byard has no guaranteed money on his deal next year, so his performance will not only affect his earnings in 2023 but also the team’s willingness to remain committed to him for the future. A major injury or significant decline in play would seemingly be necessary for his tenure to be put in doubt, but the new front office has already shown a willingness to try and lower the Middle Tennessee State product’s cap burden.
The Titans entered today with $8.3M in cap space, a figure which will change significantly when their DeAndre Hopkins signing becomes official. Byard, like the All-Pro wideout, will be a major part of the team’s plans this season, and he can now approach training camp and the build-up to the fall with clarity regarding his financial situation.
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