What a dumb fucking question. Can you guys tell it is June? Like, this is what our Titans talk has devolved into. We could just take a break (kinda like we are – I mean, have you noticed the Titans coverage on this site has slowed down? That’s ’cause I recognize I have nothing of value to add at this time of year). But, no – we’re going to ask the age old question of ‘should [PLAYER] become the highest paid [POSITION] in the NFL?’ And, it’s fine. I get it – gotta talk about something, y’know? It just kind of annoys me and I’m being an old curmudgeon about it. Last year, it was Taylor Lewan. This year, we’re asking that about the stud Titans safety Kevin Byard.
Should he be the HIGHEST PAID SAFETY in the NFL?
Now, I should specify – I don’t think it’s dumb to make Byard a PAID. ASS. MAN. Hell, Doug Farrar said he’s the best safety in the entire NFL:
Byard brings every possible attribute you want in a deep safety to the field. Not only does he have the lateral quickness and range to cover to either boundary seamlessly, but he also has an impressive ability to read quarterback intentions and receiver routes. This gives him an additional athletic advantage as he closes to the ball — at times, it looks as if he’s running the route for the receiver. Byard’s status as the NFL’s best safety is well-earned.
Better than I could’ve put it. I wholeheartedly agree. He’s been the MVP of the Titans for the last two seasons. That All-Pro season in 2017 was absolutely ridiculous. In 2018, his stat line didn’t look as good as the previous year, but in terms of effecting games, he was just as big a force on defense. I’m not going to argue that Byard is the best safety in the NFL.
But, here’s my gripe – it doesn’t matter one bit if Byard becomes the highest paid safety in the league. That doesn’t always signify that someone is the best at their position. Maybe it serves as a status symbol to some, but it seems silly to me. The Titans shouldn’t approach this situation with “whatever the highest paid safety makes now, we’re going to top that” in mind. The Titans should approach this situation thinking, “whatever it takes to keep Kevin Byard, that’s what we should do…”
They should compensate him well enough to make him stay. If he becomes the highest paid safety in the NFL in the process, then so be it. But, I don’t think that’s something you strive for, y’know? I’d be willing to bet Jon Robinson isn’t going into this thinking, “we have to get the highest paid safety in the NFL.” My guess is he’s probably thinking, “we gotta keep Kevin Byard.” Getting that ‘highest paid’ honor is nothing more than a title. Just words in front of a name.
Am I being an old geezer about this? If I am, let me know. I don’t want to be, but am willing to accept that this is a possibility. Is this even making sense? Fuck, it’s midnight.
I will say, though – deep down, I’m actually kind of glad we’re asking this question because it led to this awesome exchange:
Our GM literally made our left tackle the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history less than a year ago.
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) June 11, 2019
Here’s some more Titans stuff.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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