The Chicago Bears signed two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard in free agency, and he offers more than just talent to the secondary; he also brings a hard-nosed mindset.
During his inaugural
press conference on Thursday, March 14, Byard demonstrated an amazing grasp of Chicago’s defense before giving a direct message to the NFC North Division champion Detroit Lions
“Kevin Byard thinks he already knows a lot of the Bears secondary because of how much film he’s seen. “Naming players by name and their characteristics.” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported on X. “He claims to know Montez Sweat from high school (Sweat attended Byard’s rival HS). Byard’s goal in joining the Bears defense? “Knock Detroit off their high horse.”
Kevin Byard Playing at High Level as He Joins Bears’ Secondary
Byard is an eight-year veteran who spent the first seven and a half seasons of his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans. The team chose him in the third round of the 2016 draft.
In 2017, when he led the league with eight interceptions, the safety received his first Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro accolades. Byard received the same honors in 2021, following the Titans’ third consecutive playoff appearance.
Tennessee sent Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles before last year’s midseason trade deadline, and Philly cut him this summer to save $13 million on the salary cap. Byard, who will be 31 years old this season, agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Bears.
According to Pro Football Reference, Byard has made 749 tackles, 66 pass breakups, and 28 interceptions during his career. He has started 121 of 130 regular-season games in the last eight seasons, missing only one.
According to Pro Football Focus, Byard played over 1,100 defensive snaps in 2023 and was an excellent run defender from his position. According to PFF’s advanced analytics measure, he was also solid in coverage and decent as a pass rusher in limited play.
Kevin Byard Will Join Jaquan Brisker as Part of Formidable Bears’ Safety Duo
Both are above-average run defenders. Byard’s strong coverage abilities should help supplement Brisker, who battled more with coverage than any other area of the game last season, according to PFF.
Meanwhile, Brisker is a borderline-elite pass rusher at the position, with 5.0 sacks in his first two seasons, which is the one aspect of Byard’s game that was lacking in 2023.
Brisker was elected defensive MVP by the Bears locker room during his rookie season in 2022, which speaks well for the back end of Chicago’s defense, where he will now play alongside Byard.
Jaylon Johnson, who the Bears re-signed to a four-year, $76 million contract earlier this March, will join the safety duo. Last season, PFF rated Johnson as the finest cornerback in the NFL.
His presence, along with 2023 rookie CB Tyrique Stevenson, completes a top four in the Chicago secondary that should be capable of challenging any offense next season, including the division champion Lions.
