Titans teammates react to Kevin Byard's return
Tennessee Titans All-Pro safety Kevin Byard returned to the practice field for mandatory minicamp on Wednesday after a long and tumultuous offseason. Byard was at the center of a lot of drama this Spring, and for the first time in his NFL career, his status with the Titans was in question. In an attempt to […]
Tennessee Titans All-Pro safety Kevin Byard returned to the practice field for mandatory minicamp on Wednesday after a long and tumultuous offseason.
Byard was at the center of a lot of drama this Spring, and for the first time in his NFL career, his status with the Titans was in question. In an attempt to create some salary cap flexibility, GM Ran Carthon asked Byard to take a pay cut a few months back. Byard (rightfully) declined, putting the ball back in Carthon's court to either cut him, trade him, or continue paying him.
When Byard uncharacteristically did not attend Titans voluntary OTAs in May, the veteran defender's relationship with the organization became something to closely monitor. At the time, head coach Mike Vrabel, defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, and star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons all remained confident that Byard would be back and ready to go for minicamp. They were all proven right on Tuesday.
Byard was on the practice field and looking like himself. He made a couple really nice plays during the team portion of practice, including when he stepped in front of tight end Chig Okonkwo to punch down a pass over the middle thrown by Ryan Tannehill. It was also nice to see Byard on the same field and working with Amani Hooker again.
The energy on the defensive side of the ball was contagious on Tuesday, and according to Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, some of that is due to Byard's presence back in the building.
"It's really good. It's a breath of fresh air," Al-Shaair said of Byard's return to the team facility. "Obviously he's a guy who has a ton of experience and has been in the league longer than a lot of players. I think he's the longest tenured Titan."
Al-Shaair told the media that he first met Byard shortly after signing with the team when the veteran safety hosted players at his house. "It was good to talk to him again, see him in the building again, and I know everyone was happy to see him obviously," said Al-Shaair.
Byard was not made available to Titans media following practice, so there are still some questions that remain unanswered. But up to this point, there is no reason to believe KB won't be with the Titans for the 2023 season and no reason to be concerned about his preparation or dedication to his teammates.
