With rumors swirling about a potential split between the Tennessee Titans and long-time safety Kevin Byard, general manager Ran Carthon put the kibosh on at least one aspect of those rumors.
On Sunday, Carthon stated definitively that Byard did not ask for his release, saying the rumor is “blatantly false” while also heaping praise on the former third-round pick.
He did not, however, confirm or deny the report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that said the team asked Byard to take a pay cut and the two sides were “at a crossroads” as a result of his unwillingness to do so.
When asked about Byard’s situation on Monday, head coach Mike Vrabel had this to say, per Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky:
“Kevin’s under contract,” Vrabel said. “Kevin’s a valuable, valuable member of our football team. I’ve said that; his durability and his leadership.
“And so, we’ll see where things go, but as of now there’s nothing to report. Communication has been really good. I tried to make a great connection with him as a player and a captain on our team for five years.
“But those are conversations that will happen between Kevin and his agent, and Ran and myself. Try to find ways to continually improve our football team.”
The last part of Vrabel’s quote would seem to confirm that the two sides have talked about an adjustment to Byard’s deal, so there’s that.
When asked about the possibility of not having Byard on the defense in 2023, Vrabel wouldn’t even touch the subject.
“Those are hypothetical questions,” Vrabel said. “He’s been a part of our team for five years, so I can’t hypothesize what that would be.”
Mike Vrabel on Kevin Byard. Declines to imagine team without him. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/p8MwKTsMa2
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) March 27, 2023
