Titans GM Carthon: Byard Did Not Request Trade or Release, Was Asked to Take Pay Cut

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon was very transparent during a pre-draft press conference and confirmed that Kevin Byard was asked to take a pay cut. Carthon also confirmed Byard did not ask for his release or for a trade from the team.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have had to deal with a ton of rumors this offseason. One of the biggest rumors of the offseason was that Kevin Byard, Titans’ all-pro safety, had asked for his release from the team. After this rumor came out, tons of official sources quickly indicated that was not true, but that Byard was asked for a pay cut, which he refused. On Monday, Titans’ new general manager Ran Carthon came out and set the record clean.

Carthon admitted that the team asked Byard for a pay cut. He also confirmed that Byard did not ask for a release or for a trade. As Carthon said about Tannehill earlier in his press conference, Carthon pointed out that he spoke with Byard about two and a half weeks ago and reassured him that what he sees in the media is mostly false.

Carthon on Byard: Talked to him about 2 and a half weeks ago. Our conversations will be with those guys. I just charge them to look at whatever comes out publicly unless it's a quote from me, Mike or Amy, 9/10 it's not true

— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 24, 2023

Byard has been a captain for the Titans and arguably their most productive player since he was drafted in 2016. Byard has made two all-pro teams and consistently leads the NFL in turnovers created. He’s a vocal leader and someone who resonates with the fan base locally due to his days playing at Middle Tennessee State and his work in the community. Trading or releasing him certainly would not be met with fan approval.

Like Carthon did with the Derrick Henry trade noise, the Byard noise was turned down by the Titans’ general manager. Heading into his first draft as the head man for a team’s front office, Carthon was wise to tamper down all the rumors and nonsense so he can focus on the most important aspect of the week, the NFL draft.