"Blatantly False": Titans' GM Ran Carthon Debunks Kevin Byard Release Rumors
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans were the talk of the media cycle just a few weeks ago when a rumor hit that Kevin Byard, one of the team’s most popular and consistent stars, asked for his release from the team. Looks like that rumor can be put to bed officially now as Titans’ general manager Ran Carthon spoke about the rumor at the league meetings in Arizona and declared it a lie.
Local Nashville radio host Jared Stillman shocked the Titans’ community a few weeks ago when he tweeted that Byard had asked for his release. That was followed up with tweets from some of the heavy hitters in the industry, like Adam Schefter, explaining that the Titans asked Byard to take a pay cut to help with salary cap issues. Byard reportedly said no, but knowing what was true and what wasn’t was not an easy puzzle to solve.
Carthon shed light on part of the rumors and it appears we can rule out half of it as false.
"I will say this – K.B., nor his representatives, ever asked us for a release. So, that was blatantly false,” Carthon said, per Jim Wyatt. “That's what I'll say about that. Carthon concluded, “I have a ton of respect for K.B. and we'd love for him to continue his career as a Titan."
Well, that is pretty definitive. While Byard being asked to take a pay cut is still possible. We know for certain Byard did not ask for his release. That has to cause a major sigh of relief for Titans’ fans. Byard has been a stalwart for the club since he was drafted in 2016. Byard has never missed a game, has made two all-pro teams and leads the league in interception since 2016 among safeties. He would be nearly impossible to replace. Hopefully, the Titans won’t have to worry about doing so.
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