When the Philadelphia Eagles released Kevin Byard following the conclusion of the 2023 season, the Chicago Bears signed the veteran safety to a two-year contract with the hopes he could rekindle some of the All-Pro caliber play from the early part of his career. His first year in blue and orange was a solid one, leading the team in tackles. In his second year with the team, however, the defensive captain is in the midst of a career year.
When he was named All-Pro in 2017 and 2021, Byard had eight and five interceptions, respectively, which led the league in 2017. He already has four in 2025, putting him on a pace of 11 that would shatter his previous career high.
In Sunday's game against the Saints, Byard picked off a pass from Spencer Rattler, making an impressive play down the sideline. The play drew praise from his teammates, specifically Jaquan Brisker.
"KB's interception on the sideline," Brisker said in the locker room after the game. "Him getting his two feet in bounds was amazing."
It was not only an impressive play in how he got the ball, but it helped get the Bears' defense off the field. Byard almost had another interception in the second half, but a collision with Nahshon Wright jarred the ball loose.
"I look at it as a drop for me, because I feel like I had it in my hands and I wasn't able to bring it in," Byard said in the locker room after the game about that missed opportunity. Even without that interception and having played one less game than most teams in the League due to the early Week 5 bye, he still leads the NFL with his four INTs.
Though he led the Bears in tackles in 2024, it wasn't his best season as he tied his career-low in interceptions since he became a full-time starter with only one. It seems as though the fit with Dennis Allen as coordinator is an ideal one, as Byard is turning back the hands of time with his ability to take the football away from opposing offenses. If he continues on this torrid pace, the Bears may want to consider extending his contract, as he is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season.
With the Bears leading the league with 16 takeaways so far, Byard has been at the center of that effort. He's doing it in a contract year as well, leaving questions about whether or not he will get an extension in Chicago.
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