USAT: Titans Wire audio clip

USAT: Titans Wire

Feb 12, 2022

To say that Kevin Byard had a bounce-back year would be a massive undersell. The Tennessee Titans safety returned to elite status in the 2021 campaign, recording five interceptions, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a touchdown. - The Middle Tennessee State product earned his second First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods, and tallied an interception in the annual exhibition as well. - Of course, Byard hoped he wouldn’t have the opportunity to play in the Pro Bowl. In advance of the Titans’ divisional round playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Byard was asked point-blank for his thoughts on if Tennessee didn’t win the Super Bowl. - “In my opinion, it will be a disappointment if we don’t win the Super Bowl,” he said. - Despite having the No. 1 seed in the AFC and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Titans lost in stunning fashion to the Bengals. - After using a record number of players during the regular season, the Titans finally had everything going in their favor leading up to that game. - Not only did they have a first-round bye, but Mike Vrabel’s group fielded a healthy squad for the first time all year, which included the return of superstar running back, Derrick Henry. - All that is to say, the playoff loss hurt that much more. - “Over the past two weeks, I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting…I’ve come to the conclusion, ‘maybe it just wasn’t our time,'” the Titans safety admitted. “But coming out here, being around so many great guys, seeing coaches and all types of different people, it’s motivating going into the offseason and next year.” - With five interceptions on the year, Byard climbed to 11th all-time in franchise history with 23 career interceptions. - He’s three interceptions shy of passing Michael Griffin, which would give him the most career interceptions among Titans players. - Byard is a leader on Tennessee’s defense, and he’s a household name in the league, even if the national media cannot pronounce his name correctly. - When his playing days are done, the former third-rounder will go down as one of the best defensive players in franchise history. However, if you ask him, Byard’s legacy in the National Football League is predicated on bringing a championship back to Nashville. - “The thing I’m missing is chasing a ring. It’s all about having a great legacy. I wanna go down as one of the all-time Titan greats,” Byard added. “Eddie George was able to take the team to a Super Bowl – and Steve McNair if he was still living – that’s why these guys are so memorialized in Nashville. They were able to take the team to the highest place. I want to be a part of that and, obviously, go ahead and win the big game.” - The offseason presents a new challenge. While most of the roster will remain intact, some faces from 2021 won’t be on the Titans next season. That said, the Titans should be preseason playoff contenders, and Kevin Byard will once again anchor the defensive backfield. - - RelatedMaurice Jones-Drew talks what's next for Titans RB Derrick HenryFormer Titans QB Zach Mettenberger hired to Alabama's staffJon Robinson: Titans are counting on Caleb Farley in 2022 - - List - - Twitter reacts to Titans' Mike Vrabel winning AP NFL Coach of the Year - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Titans Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Titans Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t