Howie Roseman is often among the most active NFL general managers ahead of the trade deadline. It appears that he has struck again as he looks to bolster the Eagles' Super Bowl chances.
According to multiple reports, the Eagles have acquired safety Kevin Byard from the Titans. The move comes less than 24 hours after Philadelphia improved to 6-1 with an impressive, 31-17 win over the Dolphins and should help to improve the team's banged-up secondary.
Byard, 30, is in his eighth NFL season and has long been one of the league's best ball-hawking safeties. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2017 and was named an All-Pro first-teamer in both that season and in 2021.
During his career, Byard has racked up 27 interceptions, which is good for the 10th-most among active NFL players. Darius Slay (28) is tied for eighth on that list, so the two will now unite as part of a dangerous-looking Eagles secondary.
👀 Just got better let’s work @KevinByard yes sir!!!
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) October 23, 2023
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Here's a look at what the Eagles gave up to get Byard and which of their secondary players is getting sent to Tennessee as a part of the trade.
Kevin Byard trade details
Eagles get:
- S Kevin Byard
Titans get:
- 2024 fifth-round pick
- 2024 sixth-round pick
- S Terrell Edmunds
The Eagles were able to acquire Byard for the relatively cheap cost of two Day 3 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft and safety Terrell Edmunds.
Getting Byard was a smart move for Philadelphia. The Eagles needed to add another ball-hawking presence to their secondary after losing CJ Gardner-Johnson during the offseason. Reid Blankenship has been solid when healthy while third-round rookie Sydney Brown has flashed upside, but the team needed a more proven force to ensure that it wouldn't give up some big plays.
Byard will provide the team with a steady, veteran presence who has great vision and instincts. He was also born in Philadelphia and grew up idolizing Brian Dawkins; that makes him seem like an ideal fit for this team, as he can serve as a top starter for the squad while also mentoring the team's younger safeties.
Losing Edmunds will hurt the Eagles' depth a bit, as the team's free-agent replacement for Gardner-Johnson had played in the first seven games. That said, he had only started twice and losing ground in the rotation, so effectively turning him and multiple Day 3 picks into Byard should be a significant upgrade.
While the Eagles got the better player in this deal, the Titans are getting a solid return as well. Not only do they get the future assets and draft capital needed to help new general manager Ran Carthon execute a rebuild — and, potentially, find a franchise quarterback — but they also are getting a player back in Edmunds who can help replace Byard short-term.
Edmunds may not be at Byard's level, but the 26-year-old has made 77 starts and has averaged 59 tackles per 17 games played. He also has five sacks and five interceptions during his career, so he has moderate playmaking ability.
So, getting a decent starter and two Day 3 picks for a 30-year-old safety who doesn't fit the team's timeline for contention is a good move by the Titans. If all goes well in Philadelphia, this could end up being a rare win-win trade for each team.
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Kevin Byard contract
One of the main reasons that Byard was able to be traded to the Eagles was because he restructured his contract before the 2023 NFL season. At that time, he was hoping to be traded away from the Titans, but ultimately, nothing came of it until now.
Byard is now in the first year of a two-year, $25.1 million contract he signed with the Titans. He received $7 million in guarantees as a part of the contract, and that included no guaranteed money beyond the 2023 NFL season.
What does that mean? Well, Byard can be cut without consequence next offseason. So, if any team doesn't like his potential $14.1 million cap hit for 2024, they can part ways with him.
The Eagles will only owe Byard $2,444,444 for the rest of the 2023 NFL season. That will constitute the entirety of his cap hit, making him a relative bargain for the team.
Below is a breakdown of what Byard's contract with the Eagles now looks like, per Spotrac.com:
| Year | Base salary | Bonuses | Bonus/game | Cap hit | Dead cap |
| 2023 | $2,444,444 | — | — | $2,444,444 | $2,444,444 |
| 2024 | $9,600,000 | $4,000,000 | $500,000 | $14,100,000 | $0 |
So, considering how cheap the acquisition of Byard was, it looks like the Eagles got a good deal. And if things work out between the two sides, perhaps Byard can consider signing a contract extension to remain in Philadelphia in the 2024 season and beyond.
