Kevin Byard saw his brief Eagles tenure come to an end recently, but he has not needed to wait until the new league year to find his next home. The veteran safety has agreed to a two-year deal with the Bears, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports. 
This contract will carry a base value of $15MM, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds. Byard was set to visit a non-Chicago suitor today, per a previous Rapoport report. Instead, he has an agreement in place which will send him to the Windy City. Like all players released prior to free agency, he was free to sign with a team at any time.
Considering the Bears (a team which had nearly $63MM in cap space as of Sunday) hosted Byard yesterday, this news comes as little surprise. The 30-year-old was one of several decorated safeties on the open market after a large number of them were let go in the build-up to the new league year. The Eagles traded for Byard at the deadline in 2023, but they cut him earlier this month as part of a notable re-shaping of their secondary.
Prior to his Philadelphia stint, the former third-rounder had a productive tenure with the Titans from 2016 through to this fall. Byard earned a Pro Bowl nod as well as first-team All-Pro honors in the 2017 and 2021 seasons, and he has remained a full-time starter for the past seven years. He will be expected to provide experience and high-end production in Chicago given the terms of his new deal.
The Bears released Eddie Jackson this offseason, marking an end to his seven-year run with the franchise. Byard will take on Jackson’s starting role alongside Jaquan Brisker on the backend. Given the latter’s play to begin his career, along with the other young pieces in place in the Bears’ secondary, the team could be well-positioned to improve on its 25th place finish against the pass from 2023.
Standout corner Jaylon Johnson will be a major part of that effort, as he landed a lucrative extension shortly after receiving the franchise tag. Johnson had a breakout campaign in terms of ball production in particular last season, and continued play in that regard will go a long way to ensuring defensive success for Chicago. Byard will aim to play a central role in that regard as well.
The latter notched one interception and three pass breakups in his Eagles tenure; when taking his time with the Titans into account, Byard recorded over 100 tackles for the third time in the past four seasons. This pact represents a step back financially compared to his Titans extensions (averaging $14.1MM, then $12.55MM per season), but it comes during what could be a buyer’s market at the S position. Byard’s deal will likely be used as a barometer as other safeties find new teams over the course of free agency.
Not a bad signing. Well done. Fills the safety spot nicely.
If he rebounds, he was pretty bad last season.
Byard was having career low coverage grades for TEN before being traded to PHI and ended up with a 74 grade by PFF for the season, vastly outperforming Eddie Jackson’s 54 grade, and out tackling him by 55 solo tackles. He never misses games and is a clubhouse leader. This is a clear upgrade at FS.
That’s ridiculous. He’s the best anymore but still one of the better ones in the league for sure.
He actually rated out pretty well. He wasn’t great in coverage, but he was the best tackling safety in football last year. The eagles scheme also didn’t work well for him
He’ll bring solid veteran leadership to a very young secondary at a way more reasonable price than what Jackson was owed. And he doesn’t have injury red flags. Looks like a smart signing to me.
By “no injury red flags” I mean he’s NEVER missed a game in his 8 year career.
Damn that was fast lmao
The early Byard gets the worm (contract)
Ok, that’s a good one.. A dad joke.. but a good one. ))
Dad joke of the day award goes to….
Wait, got him for only 7.5 mil a year or did I read that wrong?