By MADISON BLEVINS (@Madison4Blevins)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Titans safety Kevin Byard was rumored to receive a contract extension before the 2019 season started, and he just got paid.
The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with safety Kevin Byard on a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday; an extension that will make him the highest paid safety in NFL history.
Byard signed a five-year, $70.5 million extension with $31 million in guarantees.
The new deal makes Byard the highest-paid safety in the league, averaging an annual $14.1 million. Kevin Byard has proven he’s a franchise guy and all in with the Tennessee Titans, and he was rewarded.
Byard is entering his fourth season after being drafted in the third round (64th overall) by the Titans in 2016 out of Middle Tennessee. Byard has never missed a game while wearing the two-toned blue, and has started 32 games over the past two seasons.
Byard has been the defensive spark for the Titans in his three seasons with 246 total tackles and 12 interceptions.
This is the second year in a row the Titans made huge contract moves before Day 1 of Training Camp.
A year ago, #Titans made @TaylorLewan77 the highest-paid offensive lineman in history. Now, per Schefter’s details, @KB31_Era is the highest-paid safety in NFL history. I sure hope the misconception this team is cheap is dead and buried. Amy Adams Strunk doesn’t deserve it.
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) July 25, 2019
Titans report for Training Camp on Thursday and first scheduled practice is Friday.
Very happy for @KB31_Era who had clearly outplayed his rookie deal. Some questioned Jon Robinson for taking him at pick 64 in round three back in 2016 because the @Titans didn’t have a 4th rounder that year. This was a must do situation. Kevin is a pros pro and he’s a #Titan.
— Rhett Bryan (@rhettbtennessee) July 25, 2019
