Kevin Byard shares the real reason why he skipped Titans offseason work
Tennessee Titans defensive back Kevin Byard was absent from OTAs late last month. Byard's absence came after reports surfaced earlier this offseason that the Titans had approached the two-time Pro Bowler about taking a pay cut. New Titans general manager Ran Carthon confirmed in late April that Tennessee did approach Byard about taking a pay […]
Tennessee Titans defensive back Kevin Byard was absent from OTAs late last month.
Byard's absence came after reports surfaced earlier this offseason that the Titans had approached the two-time Pro Bowler about taking a pay cut.
New Titans general manager Ran Carthon confirmed in late April that Tennessee did approach Byard about taking a pay cut. Byard, as expected, declined.
On Thursday, Byard, who is participating in the Titans' mandatory minicamp this week, met with reporters and explained why he wasn't at offseason workouts earlier this offseason.
And it has nothing to do with his contract.
Instead, it was because Byard had already "ramped up" his training and he didn't want to take a step back while other Titans players ramped up their offseason activity.
"Working out so early in the offseason — the middle of February — I already was ramping all the way up," explained Byard. "Usually when you come into April, they kind of take things back a little bit….but I'm already close to the goal. And I didn't want to change that. I wanted to be able to keep going, keep pushing myself to a different level. I want to keep going. And like I said, the coaches were receptive of it. And I feel like it's shown over the past couple of days that I'm still in shape."
Byard noted that he communicated his plan to Tennessee's coaches. He also pointed out that he's seen Mike Vrabel several times this offseason (including on the golf course) which indicates there's no animosity between Byard and the team.
In fact, Byard said there are no hard feelings about the pay cut request while noting that he's not the first nor the last player that will be asked to take a reduction in pay.
It's never fun for anyone — regardless of where a person works — to be asked to take a pay cut. But Byard understands it's just business and he's not letting it get in the way of being a key team leader and defensive player for the Titans.
Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
