The Philadelphia Eagles are adding a much-needed reinforcement for their banged-up secondary, acquiring safety Kevin Byard in a trade with the Tennessee Titansa source confirmed to ESPN.
The Eagles are sending safety Terrell Edmunds plus two draft picks — 2024 fifth- and sixth-round selections — to the Titans, the source said.
The trade marks a homecoming for Byard, who was born in Philadelphia and has named former Eagles great Brian Dawkins as one of his favorite players.
The teams have not announced the trade, but Byard did take to social media to thank the Titans organization and the team’s fans and express his excitement at joining the Eagles.
💙, KB pic.twitter.com/cHEm3bBgwF
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) October 23, 2023
With that being said… @Eagles it’s up!! 🦅🦅 #FlyEaglesFly
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) October 23, 2023
Byard will rejoin former Titans teammate A.J. Brownthe star wide receiver who was acquired by the Eagles from Tennessee during the 2022 draft.
Safety was the biggest question mark on a talent-rich Eagles roster entering the season, and those questions grew following a rash of injuries at the position. Reed Blankenship missed the team’s victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night with a rib injury, while Justin Evans is currently on injured reserve with a knee injury.
The Eagles are high on rookie third-round pick Sydney Brownwho started against the high-octane Dolphins and acquitted himself well, but he still needs time to develop.
Byard has 27 interceptions since being drafted by the Titans in 2016. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and 2021 and finished the 2022 season with 108 tackles and four interceptions. He has 47 tackles in six games this season.
Byard, 30, has never missed a game in eight seasons with the Titans. He was a captain for four consecutive seasons and is a homegrown product, having been drafted in the third round from Middle Tennessee State, where his jersey is retired.
The Titans sit at the bottom of the AFC South with a 2-4 record and will likely be without starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill when they take the field against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. There’s still a possibility that All-Pro running back Derrick Henry is traded as well.
“We would always consider trying to strengthen the team,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said last week, “whether that’s right now, this week or in the future.”
The news of the Byard trade was first reported by NFL Network.
ESPN’s Tim McManus and Turron Davenport contributed to this report.
