Eagles releasing safety Kevin Byard at a weak spot to save money. How they'll replace him
Kevin Byard's desire to play near where he grew up in Philadelphia lasted 11 games now that the Eagles are reportedly releasing the veteran safety.
The move, first reported by ESPN, isn't a surprise even though Byard not only started, but played every single snap on defense as an Eagle. And it comes at a position where the Eagles were exposed last season both for their lack of depth and ability.
But the Eagles are releasing Byard because they will save $13 million on the salary cap. That gives the Eagles a surplus of about $40.5 million heading into the start of free agency on March 13.
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Still, it's hard to see the Eagles splurging on a safety in free agency, even though Reed Blankenship is the only returning starter, especially when they have more pressing needs at positions they value higher on defense.
In addition, safety Sydney Brown, the Eagles' third-round pick last spring, tore his ACL in the regular-season finale against the Giants on Jan. 7. It would be hard to expect him to be ready for the start of the season.
Rather, the Eagles could both fill Byard's spot in the draft or with a low-cost free agent. The Eagles tried doing that last season by signing veterans Justin Evans and Terrell Edmunds to low-cost deals. But Evans suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Edmunds went to Tennessee in the Oct. 23 trade for Byard.
The Eagles also gave the Titans a fifth- and sixth-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft for Byard, who was the Titans' third-round pick in 2016. Byard was selected to two Pro Bowls while with Tennessee − in 2017 when he had eight interceptions and in 2021 when he had five.
Byard didn't come close to that level with the Eagles. He had one interception and 75 tackles in 10 regular-season games.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles releasing safety Kevin Byard for money; how they'll replace him
