Titans and Safety Kevin Byard Reach Record-Setting Contract Extension
By Sean Facey
The Titans will have the anchor of their defensive secondary for the foreseeable future, but at an incredibly hefty price.
Tennessee and safety Kevin Byard have come to an accord on a five-year, $70.5 million contract extension. The deal, which includes $31 million in guaranteed money, makes Byard the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
Titans and S Kevin Byard reached agreement on a 5-year, $70.5 million agreement that includes $31 million in guarantees, per source. Byard - who has the same agent (@DavidMulugheta) as Landon Collins and Earl Thomas, now is the highest paid safety in NFL history.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2019
It's a stupendous contract on the part of David Mulugheta, his agent. Mulugheta also represents standout safeties Landon Collins and Earl Thomas, both of whom are on equally lucrative deals.
As for Byard, the 2016 third-round draft pick has been one of the best safeties in the NFL since he entered the league three years ago. He had a breakout campaign in 2017 in which he snagged eight interceptions in 16 starts, earning himself both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
In 2016, Kevin Byard did not receive an invitation to the NFL Combine.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 25, 2019
Since then:
* Played in all 48 games for the Titans
* Leads the NFL with 12 INT over the past 2 seasons
* Played in 2,130 of 2,136 (99.7%) defensive snaps since 2017
* 2017 first team All Pro
Well earned ?.
Byard followed up his stellar 2017 performance with another impressive season. He managed four interceptions last year, registered 90 total tackles and even picked up two sacks. He's set to make $2.02 million in the final year of his rookie deal with the Titans.
With Byard under contract, the Titans' defensive secondary looks as though it's going to stay dominant for the foreseeable. Threading passes between him, Adoree' Jackson, Malcolm Butler and Kenny Vaccaro, all of whom are now all under contract through the 2021 season, will be no easy task.
Well that takes the edge off the Lewan news, doesn't it? #Titans come through with the big $$ to lock up Kevin Byard. https://t.co/YVvi7nzBtu
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) July 25, 2019
In wake of offensive lineman Taylor Lewan's suspension, the news of Byard's extension is a breath of fresh air for Titans fans. Now they have one of the most impressive secondaries in football under plenty of control.