The [New England Patriots](https://nesn.com/new-england-patriots) have reached an agreement with three-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, Tom [Pelissero reported Wednesday](https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2031801815226835071?s=20) afternoon.
To call this a splash would be an understatement.
The Patriots did end up patching together an effective safety room during last season’s Super Bowl run. Newcomers Craig Woodson and Jaylinn Hawkins teamed up to play a total of more than 1,200 and 1,100 snaps, respectively.
Kyle Dugger started the season in the mix before being traded away in Week 8. This left Dell Pettus as the only true safety on the roster.
Hawkins’ 71 tackles and four interceptions were more than enough to make his one-year, $2.3 million contract worth it. But it was nothing compared to Byard’s season with the Chicago Bears that earned him first-team All-Pro honors.
Byard had 93 tackles in 17 starts. He made four tackles for loss, defended eight passes, and led the league in interceptions with seven on the season.
Byar has quietly been one of the best safeties this century. He has made 155 starts, recorded 36 interceptions, and has 972 career tackles.
He also had some of the best years of his career under head coach Mike Vrabel for the Tennessee Titans.
Byard is an instant upgrade for nearly any secondary in the NFL and should be set up to have another career year in Foxboro.