In a move that has been expected and will save Philadelphia millions, the Eagles are releasing safety Kevin Byard according to Adam Schefter.
Byard had a 2024 salary cap hit of $14,417,088, and the cost cutting measure will save Philadelphia $14,070,588, with a dead cap hit of $346,500.
Eagles are releasing safety Kevin Byard, per source. Eagles acquired Byard from the Titans last October in exchange for a fifth-round pick and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft along with safety Terrell Edmunds. pic.twitter.com/uClJ0gOYCc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2024
Byard was the 23rd highest graded safety in the NFL according to PFF, and finished the year with career highs in tackles (122) and solo tackles (80) in 16 regular-season games.
Byard began the year with the Titans before being traded to the Eagles.
Despite playing only 10 games for Philadelphia, Byard finished fourth on the team in tackles, recording 75 after the move.
Philadelphia could have negotiated a restructure or reworked deal, but the $14 million cap hit was to high for a player that made no game changing plays during his stint.
With the Eagles moving on from Byard, that’ll leave just two safeties on the looming 90 man roster.