Steelers Have An All-Pro Safety Hopeful To Play For The Organization

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most storied and historic franchises in all of sports. With a long list of Hall Of Fame players and tons of championship success, its understandable to see why so many players love the idea of suiting up in the black and gold. One current player who has publicly stated his desire to play for the Steelers is Tennessee Titans' All-Pro safety, Kevin Byard. On a recent episode of the Bussin' With The Boys podcast, Byard told hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan about his respect for Mike Tomlin, the Steelers' fanbase and growing up as a fan of the organization.

Byard's Desire To Play For The Steelers

Byard has had an extremely successful NFL career after being drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for five seasons at Middle Tennessee State University. He has been selected to two Pro-Bowls, named a First Team All-Pro twice and is widely regarded as one of the best safeties in the league. 

Byard didn't miss a beat during the transition from college to professional football as he led the NFL in interceptions and earned his first Pro-Bowl and First Team All-Pro in 2017 which was just his second year in the league. During the most recent episode of Bussin' With The Boys, Byard was asked what other NFL fanbases he would be able to get behind and play for. He named the Steelers and discussed the heartbreak the team gave him during the 2016 draft process. 

"I grew up a Steelers fan. I remember being at the Senior Bowl. The Steelers were one of the only teams that didn't meet with me. I was kinda hurt about that. And I love Mike Tomlin obviously, I got a lot of respect for him, but at this time I knew they needed a safety." 

Byard was right, the Steelers did need a safety after starting Will Allen and Mike Mitchell throughout the 2015 NFL season. It is shocking to know that the team didn't even do their due diligence by looking into Byard, but the Steelers had their eye on a different safety for the 2016 draft.

"They actually drafted a safety in the second round a couple picks before me." 

Byard obviously still thinks about not being looked into by the Steelers and holds a slight grudge towards the team for picking someone at his position just six picks before him. And unfortunately for Steelers' fans, the safety the team selected while All-Pro Byard was still available was Sean Davis. Davis never quite found his footing in Pittsburgh and bounced around the league a bit and is now playing in the XFL. When asked whether or not he was better than Davis, Byard responded with a savage answer.

"I'm still in the league." 

Some could even say this was Byard being modest. With the accolades he has collected throughout his career along with earning a five-year, 70 million dollar contract extension, it is safe to say Byard is much better than Davis and has had a more successful NFL career. If the Steelers could have a redo of the 2016 draft, they'd reevaluate selecting Davis over Byard. 

Byard Admiring Troy Polamalu 

Not only was Byard a huge Steelers fanatic, but he also was a huge fan of Steelers legend, Troy Polamalu. Byard talked about looking up to Polamalu and being a big fan of his. Byard was asked by the hosts of the podcast if there were any NFL players he got excited to meet once he was drafted and he talked about meeting Polamalu.

"Obviously I fanboyed over meeting Troy Polamalu. He's one of my favorite safeties of all time."

For the beginning of Byard's career in Tennessee, his Defensive Coordinator was Dick LeBeau. LeBeau was the Steelers' defensive play-caller from 2004 through 2014, which was the majority of Polamalu's impressive career. Byard told a story of how he met Polamalu and other Steelers' legends during his second year in the NFL before a Thursday night football game in Pittsburgh.

LeBeau brought in former Steelers' defensive players to talk to the unit before kick-off. Byard probably heard many stories from LeBeau of the terrifying Steelers' defenses in the 2000s, which led to a pair of Super Bowl victories. 

While the chances of Byard playing in Pittsburgh are low, there is some reason to be optimistic. Byard has recently expressed his anger with the Titans' organization after they reportedly asked him to take a pay cut this offseason and there were rumors of Byard asking for a trade or to be released. However, the Steelers seem happy with their current safeties as they have an All-Pro of their own in Minkah Fitzpatrick and a lot of excitement around Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal. 

Would you like to see Byard wearing black and gold, Steeler Nation? Let us know in the comments below!

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