Titans reportedly set to part ways with safety Kevin Byard

Kevin Byard George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Titans reportedly prepared to part ways with safety Kevin Byard

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/16/23

The Tennessee Titans have cut many of their top players for the sake of salary cap savings this offseason and safety Kevin Byard may be next to feel that sting.

On a recent episode of 'The GM Shuffle' podcast, former NFL executive and current analyst Michael Lombardi suggested that the Titans would like to lower Byard’s $19.62 million cap hit. If they can’t lower that hit, he forwarded, then the organization would be willing to move on from the 29-year-old defensive back.

“He’s really a good player,” Lombardi said. “They’re trying to get him to take a pay cut. If he doesn’t take a pay cut, they’re going to cut him. …I would rather have Byard than (Jessie) Bates. …This is where the rubber meets the road; are they bluffing? Are they not bluffing? They’ve got cap issues. That team is a mess.”

#Titans safety Kevin Byard does not want to play anywhere else. Says he wants to retire as a Tennessee Titan and will stick it out through whatever. pic.twitter.com/vmMY9FiyNk
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) January 9, 2023

Should the Titans indeed move on from Byard, the decision could be less about the financials and more about overhauling the roster and purging those who came on board during ex-general manager Jon Robinson’s tenure (one reason they might be shopping Derrick Henry).

A two-time First Team All-Pro, Byard remains one of the top safeties in the NFL and has recorded four or more interceptions in five of the last six seasons. He has totaled 627 tackles, 63 passes defensed three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during his time in Tennessee.

Quarterbacks have a career passer rating of 75.2 when targeting Byard and he has allowed just 10.3 yards-per-completion on 206 receptions surrendered for his career, according to Pro Football Focus.

After cutting Taylor Lewan, Ben Jones, Bud Dupree, Randy Bullock, Robert Woods and Zach Cunningham, the Titans have approximately $15.5 million in cap space per Over the Cap.

Releasing or trading Byard pre-June 1 would only free up $5.99 million for the organization, while a post-June 1 cut or trade would save the Titans $14.1 million against the cap.

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