Kevin Byard has played as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. The All-Pro safety for the Tennesse Titans is certainly worthy of a raise, but his team shockingly doesn’t seem to think so.
According to a shocking report from NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe, the team asked the All-Pro to take a pay cut.
“I’m told Titans all-pro Safety Kevin Byard was approached about taking a pay cut recently and coming off 5th season with 4+ INTs in last 6 years he doesn’t intend to take it. Byard always planned to spend his whole career w/ Titans. But it appears ball is in Titans court.”
I’m told Titans all-pro safety Kevin Byard was approached about taking a pay cut recently and coming off 5th season with 4+ INTs in last 6 years he doesn’t intend to take it.
Byard always planned to spend his whole career w/ Titans. But it appears ball is in Titans court.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 17, 2023
Byard has played football in the state of Tennessee for several years. He attended Middle Tennessee State for college before Tennessee selected him in the 2016 Draft.
Since then, Byard has played for the Titans only. He’s racked up 27 career interceptions, including a career-high eight in 2017, in 114 games with the team. He’s well-regarded and well-liked, which makes this decision all the more perplexing.
Tennessee has had an interesting offseason. Opting not to pay a star player might have some fans even unhappier.
A glance through the NFL world on Friday and you’ll find exactly that. Plenty of people were confused and were not thrilled with the shocking Titans news.
A little more on this, multiple sources confirmed that Kevin Byard has not asked the #Titans to release him. https://t.co/R1f85cme39
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) March 17, 2023
Have always heard if you’re going to ask a player to take a pay cut, you need to be prepared to cut him. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out (Giants and Leonard Williams *could* go down this same road). https://t.co/CwHh4pKG8Y
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) March 17, 2023
😂😂😂take a pay cut for doing your job at a high level??? One of the top safeties in the NFL. https://t.co/1wKS6GJDwh
— Devin McCourty (@devinmccourty) March 17, 2023
Why are we alienating our best players 🙃 https://t.co/H9WQdO71h2
— Jack_Krejci (@JackKrejci) March 17, 2023
Titans need to keep Byard, he the best player on the team https://t.co/qmi2VlWSSC
— Quarantine Clean Canady (@Therealcanady) March 17, 2023
https://t.co/dPqqzqROhp pic.twitter.com/0A7eDg5ttg
— Silky Johnson (@AlstonT9) March 17, 2023
I really don’t understand this, it just doesn’t make any sense. Player who is one of the leaders of the team, one of the top players of the team, who’s still playing well, who can’t be cut or traded for much cap room this year. I just don’t get it. https://t.co/tWGst8ISil
— Marques Jones (@TheMrJones23) March 17, 2023