The New England Patriots have plenty of positions to address during free agency and only so much time to do it...
If the club intends on putting itself in a position to regularly contend, it will have to put together another near-flawless offseason as it brings aboard pass-rushers, wide receivers, offensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends -- a group that reportedly now includes safety Kevin Byard.
Let's take a look at the newest tenant at One Patriot Place!
Bio:
Kevin Byard
Position: S
Height: 5’ 11"
Weight: 218lbs
2026 Age: 27 (June 4, 1999)
2025: 19 G, 7 INT, 8 PBU, 93 TKL
The Patriots signed Kevin Byard because:
... it wouldn't be this front office without bringing in someone they already have a relationship with.
New England kicked off its offseason with the additions of defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones, fullback Reggie Gilliam, offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, and linebacker K.J. Britt -- none of which had any significant overlap with members of the coaching staff or front-office.
Byard does, as he spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Tennessee Titans, where he overlapped with new head coach Mike Vrabel, senior defensive assistant Terrell Williams, defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr, safeties coach Scott Booker, cornerbacks coach Justin Hamilton, and defensive line coach Clint McMillan from 2018-2023.
Byard isn't just a familiar face, either -- he is the NFL's interception leader (36) since he entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, and his presence alone turns his new club's secondary into one of the league's best alongside Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, and Craig Woodson.
If you were looking for a game-changing addition, this very well could be it.
The Patriots' next move should be:
... add some pieces to the front-seven!
New England has curiously eaten away at its own depth throughout the first few days of free agency, so it's time to turn things back in the other direction and keep adding players to the front-seven -- though the options are dwindling with Wednesday's reported signings of Trey Hendrickson (Baltimore Ravens) and K'Lavon Chaisson (Washington Commanders).
Cam Jordan, Joey Bosa, Bradley Chubb, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Kyle Van Noy are still available on the open market. Maxx Crosby and Jonathan Greenard have been reported to be available via trade. It's time to get moving if they want to improve on the edge, because thus far, that unit has gotten worse.
If you're looking for answers about the secondary, the unit looks pretty set in stone for next season. The Patriots might want to consider drafting the veteran's replacement sooner rather than later, however, as he reportedly was only brought in on a one-year deal.
More NFL: Patriots Offseason Preview: Everything Team Must Address In 2026