In The End, Titans Safety Kevin Byard Reworked Contract For Betterment of Team

Tennessee safety Kevin Byard was at the center of much salary-cap and contract restructuring talk during the offseason, but when it came down to it last week, the Titans' star safety reworked his deal, helping the team sign standout wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

NASHVILLE — NFL training camps are finally open across the league, so for the Tennessee Titans and the rest of the National Football League, the silly season of wild rumors and speculation has passed. 

One of the most discussed Titans during that offseason was safety Kevin Byard. He was at the center of trade rumors and was asked by the team to take a pay cut — a move he initially refused to do in the spring.

Byard, who sat out all OTAs but was in attendance for the mandatory May minicamp, spoke with the media once during those three days and touched slightly on the request to take the pay cut, but avoided sharing his "feelings" on the situation.  

At that time, while Byard refused to go into detail, he did indicate that the relationship between himself and the team was in a "good place." The former Middle Tennessee State star is starting his eighth season with his hometown team.

However, last week, before the opening of training camp, it was announced that Byard had indeed agreed to restructure his deal, giving up $3 million this season, which allowed the team to add veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the roster on a two-year deal.

On Wednesday, following the team's first on-filed training camp practice, Byard once again stepped to the podium to answer questions, the first being out his decision to finally agree to the pay cut in 2023.

"Yeah, I spoke to you guys earlier in the offseason, and I told you guys we were in a good place," Byard said. "I didn't speak to you guys about it, but I kind of did it on the podcast about really not making this an emotional thing and really just trying to make the best out of the situation you're presented with. That's what I've done my whole life.

"So obviously, you know, we restructured the contract. But one thing I do know, it definitely helps out the team a lot, and at the end of the day, we're trying to build a championship roster, and I wouldn't have come back here or done what I've done if I didn't think that we would have an opportunity to go win some ballgames, so that's what it's about for me and I'm happy to be back, and I've told you guys multiple times it's my legacy, I want to be here, so I'm just glad we were able to get it done.''        

As for the $3.1 million in salary that Byard gave up this season, he can get the all back next year in the reworked contract. The Titans have far more salary cap flexibility in 2024 with several big contracts coming off the books. 

"Yeah, I mean, we'll deal with next year when next year comes around,'' Byard said. "As of right now, I'm just going to focus on this year and try to make the best out of this year as I possibly can to help this team win a championship and play my behind off for this team. That's what I said, it's my job to be the best safety I possibly can be, and we'll deal with next year as next year comes." 

Byard was also asked if his move that allowed the Titans to add Hopkins to the roster played into his "mission to make this a championship roster." 

"Yeah, at the end of the day, it's all about winning ball games, and you kind of understand it as you get older as a player. The business side of football is to be able to build a championship roster, and that's what it's all about here is about; winning ball games.

"At times there are times to be selfish, but at the end of the day, it's about building a team, and I'm a team leader, and I want to win first and foremost. I've said this multiple times, that I want to help bring a championship to Nashville, and that's what we plan on doing this year."        

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