Report: Titans make Byard highest-paid safety with 5-year, $70.5M extension

The Tennessee Titans and safety Kevin Byard have agreed to a five-year, $70.5-million extension that includes $31 million in guarantees, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The deal will make Byard the highest-paid safety in NFL history. His reported $14.1-million average annual value surpasses those of Tyrann Mathieu and Landon Collins, who both average $14 million a season on their current contracts.

A third-round pick of the Titans in 2016, Byard has quickly emerged as one of the league's top defensive backs. The Middle Tennessee product was named a First-team All-Pro in 2017.

The 25-year-old thrives in coverage as a ball-hawking free safety, and his 12 interceptions over the last two seasons are tops among all NFL players. After leading the league with eight picks as a sophomore, Byard accumulated 90 tackles, two forced fumbles, and four takeaways in 2018.