Two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard was just dismissed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Alan Saunders of GettySteelers Now connected him to head coach Mike Tomlin.
As more clubs release players to make contract space available before free agency, the pool of NFL free agents keeps expanding. The Pittsburgh Steelers may be interested in safety Kevin Byard, one of those guys who was recently released.
On March 2, Alan Saunders of Steelers Now made at least that argument.
Saunders stated, “The Steelers have contracts with most of their 2023 safeties until 2024, but they may be seeking an upgrade after Keanu Neal had a season marred by injuries in 2023 and Damontae Kazee struggled when asked to play more in-the-box strong safety.”
“If they want to move on from the seasoned strong safety and locate someone who has been more dependable, Yarder might be a replacement for Neal as the third safety in the team’s regular rotation.”
Near the NFL trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Byard from the Tennessee Titans, and he played for them through the end of the 2023 regular season.
Tennessee traded safety Terrell Edmunds to Philadelphia along with fifth- and sixth-round selections in 2024 for Barnyard.
Yard recorded 122 total tackles, three pass defenses, and one interception in 16 games with the Eagles and Titans in the previous campaign.
Byard had played his whole career in Tennessee until the transfer. For the Titans in 2017 and 2021, he was named to the Pro Bowl and the first team All-Pro.
On March 1, the Eagles released Barner.
How Kevin Byard Would Fit Into the Defense of the Steelers
Fans in Pittsburgh are unlikely to object to the team adding more excellent safety depth, given that the Steelers were forced to sign free agents in the middle of December due to injuries and a suspension.
Byard is unquestionably a good safety. In three out of the last four seasons, he has recorded at least 100 combined tackles. With 13 pass defenses, 5 interceptions, and 88 total tackles in the season he didn’t play, he was named to the All-Pro team.
Byard didn’t produce the same big plays as he had in his early seasons last season. However, he had four interceptions and six pass defenses in 2022.
Byard, even at thirty, ought to be a valuable addition to any league safety corps.
In the third round of the 2016 NFL draft, Byard was selected by the Titans. He has recorded 749 total tackles in eight NFL seasons, including 66 pass defenses, 28 interceptions, and 15 tackles for loss in 130 games.
In 2017, he had the most interceptions in the NFL in his first All-Pro season.
Will the Steelers make any more cuts before free agency?
Five safeties have already been signed by the Steelers for the 2024 campaign.The chance of Eric Rowe being re-signed was also left open by head coach Mike Tomlin, who saw good performance from the player when injuries forced him into a major position.
Byard doesn’t have much room in this. But it makes sense for the Steelers to release Keanu Neal, as Saunders recommended, if they hope to consider signing Byard.
The injured reserve at the end of the 2023 season was Neal. He totaled 50 tackles in nine games, which included one interception, two pass defenses, and one tackle for loss.
By letting Neal go, the Steelers will save approximately $2.25 million. Neal will turn 29 in July.
However, Neal is probably not the player Pittsburgh is most likely to cut.
Since the Super Bowl, the Steelers have already cut center Mason Cole, punter Pressley Harvin III, offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, and quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
However, it’s probable that cornerback Patrick Peterson and wide receiver Allen Robinson will also be let go by the organization.Robinson alone will result in $10 million in cap space savings for the Steelers.
The Steelers have roughly $9.5 million in cap space as of March 2. In the NFL, that is ranked 24th.
