Nov 5, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) intercepts the ball in the end zone intended for Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper (19) in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Photo Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans agreed to a contract extension with Kevin Byard on Wednesday that reportedly will make him the highest-paid safety in NFL history.
The team did not disclose terms, but multiple outlets report the extension is worth $70.5 million over five years with $31 million guaranteed. He is now under contract through 2024.
The $14.1 million annual average sets a new benchmark over the Washington Redskins’ Landon Collins — who shares an agent, David Mulugheta, with Byard — and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyrann Mathieu, who each changed teams in free agency this offseason. Earl Thomas, who is also repped by Mulugheta, still holds the mark for guarantees ($32 million) for a safety, on his free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Byard, who turns 26 next month, was set to make $2,025,000 in 2019, the final year of his four-year rookie contract.
He was named first-team All-Pro in 2017 after he had an NFL-high eight interceptions along with 16 passes defensed. He totaled four picks and eight pass breakups last year while adding 90 tackles and two sacks.
A third-round pick out of Middle Tennessee State in 2016, Byard has not missed a game through three seasons, making 39 starts in 48 games and totaling 12 interceptions, 28 passes defensed and 228 tackles.
