Eagles to release two-time All-Pro safety

Kevin Byard joined the Eagles as a trade acquisition in 2023, but his time with the franchise has proven to be quite short. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that veteran safety is being released. 

Byard enjoyed a productive seven-plus seasons with the Titans, but his future in the organization faced questions entering the 2023 campaign. He wound up beginning the year in Tennessee but was dealt to the Eagles shortly before the trade deadline. The move allowed the Titans to continue moving on from veteran contracts while providing Philadelphia with an experienced option in the secondary. One year remained on Byard’s pact, but he will now hit the open market instead.

The 30-year-old was due $14.1M in 2024, but very little was guaranteed. Today’s move will generate over $13M in cap savings for the Eagles and a dead cap charge of only $1.39M. As the Eagles look to rebuild a defense that struggled down the stretch, particularly last season, that added financial flexibility will be welcomed before free agency.

Byard remained a full-time starter in the regular season with the Eagles, as was the case during the team’s wild-card loss. He recorded one interception, three pass deflections and 80 total tackles in that span, production which could allow him to land a short-term deal as a veteran contributor. The two-time All-Pro has nevertheless seen his ball production decline in recent years, which will hurt his market value as he joins several veteran safeties in search of a new home.

Eddie Jackson, Tracy Walker and Marcus Maye have each been released by their teams in cost-shedding moves. The same is true of Byard, meaning several experienced options will be available in free agency (compared to relatively few young producers at the safety spot, particularly if Antoine Winfield Jr. is franchise-tagged by the Buccaneers). After including Terrell Edmunds in the package to acquire Byard, the Eagles will be a team to watch concerning an addition at the position.

Philadelphia only has Sydney Brown and Reed Blankenship under contract for 2024. Justin Evans, a pending free agent, could join Byard in finding a new team soon. Friday’s move will leave the Eagles with roughly $42M in cap space, allowing them the flexibility to pursue an upgrade on the backend. It will be interesting for Byard to see how strong of a market develops as he likely prepares to join a third team in his career.