Kevin Byard trade signals Titans already planning for 2024 and beyond

If there was any question where the Tennessee Titans stand coming out of their bye week and into a Week 8 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons, they answered it with a single trade.

Tennessee shipped two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles for 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks plus 26-year-old safety Terrell Edmunds, a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018.

Trading Byard bolsters what was a weak stable of 2024 draft picks for the Titans, who had just six selections in next year’s draft and were without picks in Rounds 3, 5 and 6. Now, they have picks in every round except the third, including three selections in Round 7.

“I think we would always consider trying to strengthen the team,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel told reporters before the bye week. “Whether that's right now, this week or in the future; absolutely.”

In addition to replenishing some draft capital, Tennessee also cleared $14.7 million off its books for 2024, giving the team north of $99M in cap space next season, per Over the Cap.

With 20 players on their roster whose contract expires after this season including edge-rusher Denico Autry, cornerback Kristian Fulton, running back Derrick Henry, quarterback Ryan Tannehill and defensive tackle Teair Tart, the Titans may not be done dealing just yet.