Once more, Howie Roseman is at it. The backroom dealing According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles is trading for star safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
According to Rapoport, in return for Byard, the Eagles will send Tennessee safety Terrell Edmunds, a former first-round choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as picks in the 2024 fifth and sixth rounds.
It’s a victory for the Eagles, who have struggled defensively this year and required assistance at safety. Philadelphia pounced, adding a two-time first-team All-Pro and past leader in interceptions to a defense that on Sunday night shut down the high-flying Miami Dolphins.
Byard hasn’t been at his best early in this season in Tennessee, but he’s the kind of versatile safety who can finish the Eagles’ secondary. He published a statement thanking the Titans organization and supporters. The native of Philadelphia is a ball hawk in coverage and excellent against the run. With the Titans in 120 games spanning eight seasons, Byard has produced 27 interceptions, 63 passes defensed, and 674 tackles.
According to NFL Research, the 30-year-old safety is among two players in the NFL (the other being Jordan Poyer) with 600 or more tackles and 20 or more interceptions since 2017, and his 27 picks are second-most in the NFL (behind Xavien Howard). Byard has intercepted the most passes (59) among safeties since 2017.
On the back end of Sean Desai’s defense, Byard will team up with Middle Tennessee State safety Reed Blankenship, who is battling an injury.
The Eagles’ safety group lacked variety and playmaking after losing Chauncey Gardner-Johnson this offseason. To fill the gap, Roseman went out and acquired a potential game-changer. The deal was made after Philadelphia traded for Tennessee’s standout receiver A.J. Brown on draft day in 2022.
Prior to the deadline on October 31, the trade indicates that the 2-4 Titans are sellers. Only three of Tennessee’s six draft picks on the day (first, second, fourth, and three sevenths) came before the seventh round. The Titans might not be finished moving assets in the upcoming week because General Manager Ran Carthon wants to restock the bank account.