Trade Rumor Links Eagles to All-Pro Safety After Byard Release

The Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to make significant changes to their secondary next season after a disappointing 2023 season. The Eagles surprisingly released veteran safety Kevin Byard on Friday after acquiring him from the Tennessee Titans earlier this season.

With Byard out the door and rookie Sydney Brown working his way back from a torn ACL in Week 18 of the 2023 season, the Eagles will be in the market to upgrade the safety position either in free agency or the draft.

If the Eagles decide to do the former, Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons could be an option for general manager Howie Roseman. Chad Forbes said on Twitter/X Friday night that Simmons to Philadelphia is gaining buzz.

It makes sense for the Eagles to be interested in Simmons, as the Broncos are headed into a rebuild after a down 2023 season. The veteran safety has a $18.2 million cap hit for the 2024 season and will become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

The 30-year-old Simmons had another All-Pro season for the Broncos, producing 70 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. 

He also posted a 66.7 completion percentage allowed on targets, an 89.1 pass rating allowed when targeted, and only gave up three receiving touchdowns. With the Eagles having $41.9M in cap space, we should expect Roseman to use some of it to get this team back to the top of the NFC again.

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