When it comes to the LA Chargers offseason, there's little for fans to complain about. While letting Drue Tranquill sign with the hated Chiefs could be regarded as a mistake, the Bolts did well to re-sign free agents Trey Pipkins III and Morgan Fox, both of whom were critical to the team's success last season.
The Chargers didn't do much in terms of signing external free agents, but former All-Pro Eric Kendricks will help atone for the loss of Tranquill.
With Kendricks in the fold, J.C. Jackson primed for a bounce-back season and the Chargers returning defensive pillars Derwin James, Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, Brandon Staley could oversee a potentially elite defense in 2023.
Though Los Angeles has stars at every position, the secondary has been an area of concern since the season ended. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox might have identified the perfect trade target for GM Tom Telesco.
In brainstorming trades for players who need a fresh start, Knox has the Chargers acquiring stud safety Kevin Byard from the Titans.
Kevin Byard not attending Titans' OTAs. https://t.co/uRjDoHtXtV
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 23, 2023
Should Chargers pursue trade for Titans star Kevin Byard?
At the rate this offseason is trending, Byard could soon become subject to trade talks, so Knox just might be barking up the right tree.
The Titans asked Byard this offseason to take a pay cut, which he (rightly) declined as one of the team's top-performing players over the last few seasons. The AFC South might be wide open, but Tennessee could be trending toward a rebuild after they finished under .500 last year and used a second-round pick on Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. Why would Byard want any part in a rebuild?
On top of rejecting a pay cut, Byard wasn't at the Titans' offseason workouts, which further hints at his frustration with the franchise.
Here's Knox's trade:
Chargers Get: S Kevin Byard
Titans Get: 2024 fifth-round pick, 2024 seventh-round pick, WR Jalen Guyton
That's hardly a steep price to pay for one of the game's premier safety's. Parting with Guyton would sting, but he's coming off a torn ACL and the Chargers already have a glut of receivers with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Josh Palmer and 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston.
The Titans approached Kevin Byard about a pay cut, but the Pro Bowl safety does not believe his play warrants a decrease in salary.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2023
Byard has wanted to play for one organization and ultimately retire as a Titan, but the two sides are at a crossroads, per sources.
Byard has never missed a game in his career. In the last two seasons combined, he's produced 196 tackles, nine interceptions, 19 passes defended, and a 85.4 coverage grade while allowing an 80.7 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus.
As of this writing, the Bolts have $13.4 million in cap space. Byard carries a $13.6 million base salary for 2023, so it's not like Telesco would have to move heaven and earth to absorb Byard's contract. A simple restructuring of contracts or shedding salary by cutting a player or two would do the trick.
The Chargers need a ball-hawking safety to pair with the versatile Derwin James, and Byard is one of the best in the business and could be had at an affordable price given his contract.
Couldn't hurt to at least give Tennessee a call.