Kevin

Byard

Smith’s interceptions were bad. He does not appear to be reading the field well. Bears S Kevin Byard III picked him off twice, on the Raiders’ first and fourth drives, on the same exact play design. Smith was targeting Jakobi Meyers on in-breaking routes downfield and Byard dutifully positioned himself to pick the ball off in stride on both occasions. On the plus side, Smith was willing to run when the moment called for it, notably scrambling twice for 29 yards on the Raiders’ third drive, which resulted in a catch-and-run touchdown pass thrown to RB Ashton Jeanty. Smith is a QB2 against the Colts in Week 5.

Byard had two visits with the Bears over a short period and is now set to join them on a two-year deal. The former Titan was a trade deadline acquisition by the Eagles last season and wound up totaling 122 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups in 16 games. A former two-time All-Pro, Byard, will be 31 before the start of next season. While he may have lost a slight step, Byard still graded well amongst safeties per PFF, earning a grade of 74.0 while excelling as a run-stopper.

The Eagles let Byard go at the beginning of the month in a move that saved the team $13 million in cap space. The two-time All-Pro was acquired by the Eagles at last year’s trade deadline and racked up 75 tackles and one interception in 10 games with the Birds. Byard earned a PFF coverage grade of 68.0 for his efforts last season and still proved to be a force in the run game. Needing an upgrade opposite Jaquan Brisker, Byard could provide a one to two-year stopgap for a Bears defense that finished in 20th in points allowed per game.

The move will save the Eagles around $13 million in salary cap space for 2024. Philadelphia acquired Byard in a trade with the Titans in October. The two-time All Pro was quiet throughout his two months as a starter in the struggling Eagles secondary, graded by PFF as the NFL’s eighth worst coverage unit in 2023. Byard, entering his age-31 season, should be in line for a short-term contract with another team this offseason.

Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the restructuring of Byard’s deal creates $711K in cap space for the Eagles this season. It’s a small move to offer the team more flexibility, which may be needed ahead of the league’s trade deadline. Byard is under contract through the 2024 season and totaled 10 tackles in his Week 8 debut with the Eagles.

In addition to Edmunds the Eagles also traded away fifth and sixth round draft picks. The swapping of safeties gives the Eagles a two-time All-Pro in Byard, who has totaled 47 tackles and one fumble recovery this season while earning a PFF coverage grade of 61.2. Byard will in all likelihood make his Eagles debut in Week 8 when they take on the Commanders.

Byard refused to take a pay cut from the Titans in March but has now agreed to have his $14 million base salary reduced to $11 million for this season. The team has worked incentives into his restructured deal, giving him a chance to earn back the money he gave up, but the two-time All-Pro safety is officially set to be back with the team in 2023. Byard totaled 108 sacks and four interceptions last season and ranks eighth among active players with 27 career interceptions.

Byard refused the pay cut but this adds to rumors he may not be in new GM Ran Carthon’s plans. The Titans restructured Byard the last two offseasons, raising his cap hit to $19 million in 2023. Byard was one of the league’s top safeties last year with four interceptions and 100-plus tackles for the second time in three seasons. The Titans will need to make a decision on whether to keep Byard, cut or trade him in a salary dump. Tennessee can clear $14 million with $5.5 million in dead money if they designate Byard a post-June cut.

It’s a standard move by the Titans that allows them to push the $8.8 million cap hit into future seasons. The star safety is signed through 2024, with two void years on his contract in 2025-26, which gives the Titans additional flexibility in when to put his cap hit on the books. After losing at home to the Bengals after an impressive season that earned them the AFC’s top seed, the Titans are understandably prioritizing the present.

Byard was placed on Tennessee’s COVID list prior to their Week 13 bye, returning just in time for the team’s upcoming divisional game against Jacksonville. Byard has registered 64 tackles, five interceptions and a sack, along with 12 passes defensed, two quarterback pressures, and a forced fumble in 12 appearances this year.