The arrival of Kevin Byard, the Bears' new safety, injects a seasoned presence into an already promising secondary.
Kevin Byard, the newly minted safety for the Bears, had been meticulously observing the NFL landscape. As an avid consumer of NFL film, Byard was keenly aware of the defensive prowess the Bears displayed during the latter half of the previous season.
"That was evident on film, the impressive play of those guys," Byard noted on Thursday at Halas Hall. "I'm familiar with many of these players. I've been keeping an eye on Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, who's quite nimble in the slot, and Tyrique Stevenson, who showed promise as a rookie last year."
Now, Byard is poised to join that very secondary.
Earlier this week, the Bears secured Byard with a two-year contract, reportedly valued at up to $15 million for the seasoned 30-year-old safety. His arrival is expected to fill the void left by the departure of veteran Eddie Jackson from the starting lineup.
Jackson, a two-time Pro Bowler, had been a mainstay in the Bears' defense for seven seasons. However, with a hefty $18 million price tag in 2024 and a recent history of injuries, the Bears opted for a cost-saving measure by releasing Jackson and bringing in Byard at a fraction of the cost.
Byard's acquisition comes amidst a surplus of free-agent talent at the safety position. Notable names like Jackson, Jordan Poyer, Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Marcus Maye were all released by their respective teams before free agency began.
A two-time Pro Bowler himself, Byard showcased his skills during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans, leading the NFL with eight interceptions in 2017 and maintaining a consistent impact throughout his career. Last season, he recorded five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two touchdowns for the Titans and Eagles.
Byard is determined to earn the respect of his new teammates through his diligent work ethic. In his eight NFL seasons, he has never missed a practice due to injury and has a perfect attendance record in games, appearing in 130 matches with 121 starts.
"My priority with any group of players is to earn their respect," Byard emphasized. "I believe the best way to do that is by consistently showing up, working hard, studying, and being available. I've never missed a practice in my career except for the birth of my children."
Byard assumes the role of the seasoned voice in the Bears' secondary, previously held by Jackson. Additionally, the Bears bolstered their secondary this week by signing 28-year-old veteran Jonathan Owens. With a youthful core including standout players like Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker, coupled with the experienced guidance of Byard, the Bears' secondary presents a formidable combination of youth and experience.
Coach Matt Eberflus' defense led the NFL with 22 interceptions last season, showcasing the strength of the secondary. Byard sees Brisker as a reminiscent figure of his former Titans teammate Kenny Vaccaro, known for his hard-hitting style. As Byard takes on the role of free safety, he looks forward to complementing Brisker's physicality in the Bears' defensive scheme.
"Brisker is a fantastic player, vocal on the field, and not afraid to deliver big hits," Byard praised. "I'm excited to partner with a player of his caliber."
| POLL | ||
14 MARS | 113 ANSWERS The arrival of Kevin Byard, the Bears' new safety, injects a seasoned presence into an already promising secondary. Will Kevin Byard be a good safety for the Bears? | ||
| yes | 104 | 92 % |
| No | 9 | 8 % |
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