Eagles trade for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to bolster banged-up secondary: report

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The Philadelphia Eagles have reinforced their banged-up secondary, adding All-Pro safety Kevin Byard after making a trade with the Tennessee Titans on Monday, per multiple reports. 

The Eagles will be sending Terrell Edmunds, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers who signed a one-year pact with Philly this offseason, as well as 2024 fifth- and sixth-round picks to the Titans in exchange for Byard, NFL Network reports. 

The Eagles, fresh off a statement win over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday night to improve to 6-1, have recent history of making blockbuster moves to add big-name talent to their roster that GM Howie Roseman knows can return to the Super Bowl this season. 

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Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans reacts after a third-down stop against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023, in Nashville. (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)

The Eagles’ secondary has been hit with injuries, with Reed Blankenship dealing with a ribs injury that forced head coach Nick Sirianni to trust Sydney Brown in his first career NFL start on Sunday night. Justin Evans is also on the injured reserve with a knee injury, which will shut him down at least one month.

Byard should fit right in once he gets to Philadelphia, and should be alongside Blankenship when he returns to the gridiron, creating a monster secondary that includes stud cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry.  

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Byard is a two-time All-Pro who has been a staple of the Titans’ defense since he earned a starting role with the team during the 2017 season – his first All-Pro nod. Byard, a third-round pick by the Titans in the 2016 Draft, had eight interceptions to lead the NFL that season with two fumble recoveries, 16 passes defended, and 87 combined tackles over his 16 games with the team. 

His second All-Pro season came in 2021 when he had five interceptions, one returned for a pick-six, with 88 tackles, 13 passes defended and two forced fumbles, one of which was scooped up and brought back for a touchdown. 

Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans during the Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Oct. 8, 2023, in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It’s been a slow start to Byard’s 2023 season, as he doesn’t have a pass defended or interception, but has 47 tackles over six games. Byard’s ability to affect both the run and pass games for offense is what makes him the do-it-all safety that Tennessee has come to love over the years. 

Bringing those qualities to a stacked Eagles group should lead to love from a raucous Eagles fan base that is enjoying another NFC East lead and high Super Bowl hopes after reaching the big game last season. 

Eagles fans have been infatuated with a former teammate of Byard’s in Tennessee, wide receiver A.J. Brown, who was dealt for by Roseman prior to the 2022 NFL Draft. That trade has worked out tremendously for the offense, with Brown being Jalen Hurts’ top passing target and breaking the franchise’s single-season receiving yards record in just his first year with the team. 

Kevin Byard of the Titans before the Miami Dolphins game at Nissan Stadium on Jan. 2, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

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While the Eagles and Roseman may have more up their sleeves heading into the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, the 2-4 Titans are clearly showing they are sellers, which could lead to increased calls in Nashville as playoff contenders look to add new pieces for the second half of the season.