Eagles acquire All-Pro safety Kevin Byard from Tennessee Titans
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made a major addition to the team's defense on Monday.
The Eagles acquired Kevin Byard, a two-time All-Pro safety, from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for fifth and sixth-round picks in 2024 and safety Terrell Edmunds, the team said.
In six games this season, Byard has 47 total tackles and one fumble recovery.
Byard, 30, has 27 total interceptions in 120 career games.
Byard was born in Philadelphia and grew up watching Brian Dawkins -- one of his favorite players. He moved south to Atlanta when he was a teenager. Now, he gets to play for his hometown team as they try to make another Super Bowl run.
Byard thanked the Titans organization and fans on social media following the trade:
Byard is under contract through the 2024 season. He reportedly restructured his deal ahead of the 2023 season. The final two years of the contract are void years for cap purposes, according to OverTheCap.com. His base salary for the 2023 season is $4 million.
Entering the 2023 season, the Eagles lacked talent at safety alongside starter Reed Blankenship, but that won't be a problem anymore.
Blankenship and Byard should form a solid duo in Sean Desai's defense. The Birds lost both of their starting safeties in free agency after C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions and Marcus Epps went to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Eagles have also been dealing with injuries at the safety position so far this season.
Blankenship missed Sunday night's 31-17 win against the Miami Dolphins with an injury, starter Justin Evans was placed on injured reserve and rookie Sydney Brown returned from injury vs. Miami.
Edmunds, who was shipped out in the deal in Tennessee, started against Miami with Brown.
Another big trade with the Titans
This isn't the first time Roseman has made a deal with the Titans.
Before the 2022 NFL draft, the Birds acquired A.J. Brown for two draft picks and signed him to a contract extension.
Brown went on to have the best year of his career in the 2022 season, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
And Brown hasn't slowed down one bit in the 2023 season -- he's picked up right where he left off.
Through seven games this season, Brown is second in the NFL with 809 receiving yards to go along with 52 catches and three scores.
Brown has been on an absolute tear over the past five weeks. After hauling in 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown on Sunday night, Brown became the first player in Eagles his to record at least 125 receiving yards in five straight games.
Eagles react to trade
After details of the trade emerged, plenty of Eagles players reacted to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Brown, who played with Byard in Tennessee, was excited by the move.
Blankenship and Darius Slay, who will each play with Byard in the secondary, also reacted to the addition.
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson posted "Howie SZN" after the news emerged.
