Once more, here comes Howie Roseman.
The haggling and manipulation NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Philadelphia Eagles general manager is acquiring outstanding safety Kevin Byard in a trade with the Tennessee Titans, citing a source familiar with the terms of the agreement.
In return for Byard, the Eagles will send safety Terrell Edmunds, a former first-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, to Tennessee in addition to 2024 fifth- and sixth-round selections, according to Rapoport. On Monday night, the Titans later announced the deal.
The Eagles, who have struggled in the secondary this season and required safety assistance, are celebrating a coup. Philly moved quickly to bolster a defense that had already shut down the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night, adding a two-time first-team All-Pro and previous interceptions leader.
Notwithstanding his lackluster play early in the season in Tennessee, Byard is the kind of versatile safety who can round out the Eagles’ secondary. He thanked the Titans organization and its supporters in a statement. The native of Philadelphia excels in coverage and is a ball-hawk against the run. Byard has produced 27 interceptions, 63 passes defensed, and 674 tackles in 120 games over his eight-season tenure with the Titans.
NFL Research indicates that the 30-year-old safety is one of just two players in the league (Jordan Poyer) with more than 600 tackles and 20 or more interceptions since 2017. Additionally, he has the second-most picks in the league (Xavien Howard) with 27. Among safeties, Byard has the most, with 59 passes defensed since 2017.
As a back-end safety tandem for Middle Tennessee State, Byard and the injured Reed Blankenship will help Sean Desai’s defense.
The Eagles’ safety group lacked variety and playmaking after losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson this offseason. To fill the hole, Roseman went out and recruited a possible game-changer. The transaction follows Philly’s 2022 draft-day acquisition of Tennessee’s star receiver, A.J. Brown.
In advance of the deadline on October 31, the trade indicates that the 2-4 Titans are sellers. Only three of Tennessee’s six draft selections (first, second, fourth, and three sevenths) came before the seventh round went into play. The Titans may not be done shipping out assets in the upcoming week because general manager Ran Carthon has to replenish the coffers.