The Tennessee Titans have locked in one of their key players for the foreseeable future, as they recently announced a contract extension with safety Kevin Byard. The 25-year-old Pro Bowler has established himself as one of the top safeties in the NFL since being drafted by the Titans in 2016. This new deal solidifies Byard’s place as a cornerstone of the Titans’ defense and shows the team’s commitment to building a strong, competitive roster. Let’s take a closer look at the details of Byard’s contract extension and what it means for both him and the Titans.
Details of Kevin Byard’s Contract Extension Revealed
According to reports, Kevin Byard has signed a five-year, $70.5 million contract extension with the Titans. This deal makes him one of the highest-paid safeties in the league, with an average annual value of $14.1 million. Byard’s contract also includes $31 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus. The extension runs through the 2024 season and Byard will be 30 years old when it expires.
This new contract is a significant increase from Byard’s rookie contract, which was set to expire after the 2020 season. He was scheduled to make just over $2 million in the upcoming season, so this extension is a major pay raise for the talented safety. Byard’s play on the field has certainly earned him this new deal, as he has recorded 12 interceptions and 27 passes defended over his first three seasons with the Titans.
Byard’s New Contract Makes Him One of Highest-Paid Safeties in NFL
Byard’s contract extension not only secures his long-term future with the Titans, but it also places him among the elite safeties in the league in terms of salary. His average annual value of $14.1 million puts him behind only Eddie Jackson of the Chicago Bears and Landon Collins of the Washington Redskins, who both make an average of $14.6 million per year.
This is a significant statement by the Titans, as they have chosen to invest in Byard and reward him for his exceptional play on the field. Byard’s statistics speak for themselves and he has consistently been one of the top safeties in the league, making this contract extension well-deserved.
However, it’s worth noting that contracts for safeties are typically not as lucrative as those for other positions such as quarterback or defensive end. This makes Byard’s deal even more impressive, as he has managed to secure one of the highest salaries for a safety in the entire NFL.
Breakdown of Byard’s Contract: Salary, Bonuses, and Incentives
Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown of Byard’s contract to understand where his money is coming from and how his salary is structured.
Base Salary: Byard’s base salary for the 2019 season will be $4.4 million, which is fully guaranteed. His base salary then increases each year, reaching $13.7 million in 2024.
Signing Bonus: As mentioned earlier, Byard received a $20 million signing bonus as part of his contract extension. This bonus is paid immediately and is prorated over the duration of the contract for salary cap purposes.
Roster Bonuses: Byard also has roster bonuses built into his contract, earning $100,000 for each game he is active for during the first two years of his extension. These bonuses total up to $3.2 million over the course of the five-year deal.
Incentives: Byard has the opportunity to earn additional incentives throughout the duration of his contract, including interception and Pro Bowl bonuses. These incentives could add up to $2.5 million over the five years.
Implications of Byard’s Contract for Titans’ Future Salary Cap
While Kevin Byard’s contract is certainly a lucrative one, it’s important to consider how it may impact the Titans’ future salary cap. Signing a player to such a large extension inevitably ties up a significant portion of the team’s available funds, and Byard’s deal is no exception.
However, the Titans were able to structure the contract in a way that minimizes the immediate cap hit. Byard’s base salary for the 2019 season is actually lower than his previous salary, meaning the team will have more flexibility this year. And as mentioned before, the roster bonuses and incentives are also spread out over the length of the contract, reducing the immediate cap impact.
The Titans will need to continue to make strategic moves in order to manage their salary cap effectively and build a competitive roster around Byard and their other key players. But with Byard’s new deal, they have secured a talented and reliable safety for the long haul, which is a valuable asset for any team.
Kevin Byard’s Contract Extension Secures His Long-Term Future in Tennessee
One of the most important aspects of Kevin Byard’s new contract is the security it provides for both him and the Titans. With a five-year extension in place, Byard can focus on playing without the distraction of an expiring contract looming over him. This allows him to continue to perform at a high level and contribute to the team’s success.
And for the Titans, securing Byard’s long-term future means they can build their defense around him for years to come. Byard has proven himself to be a key player on the team and a leader both on and off the field. With this contract extension, the Titans have shown their commitment to keeping him in Tennessee and building a strong, competitive team.
Conclusion
Kevin Byard’s contract extension with the Tennessee Titans is a significant move for both the player and the team. The details of the deal reveal just how highly valued Byard is within the league, as he now stands among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL. The implications of this contract for the Titans’ future and their salary cap will be something to keep an eye on, but ultimately, securing Byard’s long-term future is a valuable investment for the team. With this new deal in place, Byard can continue to excel on the field and contribute to the team’s success, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the Titans’ defense.
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