Kevin Byard III, one of the NFL’s most accomplished ball-hawking safeties, is heading to New England. The three-time Pro Bowl selection agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal with the Patriots on Wednesday.
The signing reunites Byard with head coach Mike Vrabel, the same coach who developed him into an elite defensive back in Tennessee. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the news, with Byard confirming it himself:
“Getting the band back together to go all the way.”
Byard led the entire NFL with seven interceptions in 2025, earning first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition with the Chicago Bears.
Byard and Vrabel’s Connection Runs Deeper Than the Average Free-Agent Reunion
Chicago Bears, Tremaine Edmunds
Dec 20, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) poses for a television camera with safety Kevin Byard III (31) after recovering a fumble against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round in 2016 out of Middle Tennessee State University, he spent the first seven years of his NFL career in Nashville.
Vrabel joined the Titans as head coach in January 2018. Byard quickly became the type of cornerstone defender Vrabel’s system was built around, a player the defense could organize from the back end.
Over that stretch in Tennessee, he recorded 27 career interceptions as a Titan, the most in franchise history during the modern era. He was also a five-time team captain under Vrabel’s watch.
The partnership ended in October 2023 when the Titans traded Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles. In a statement released by Tennessee at the time, Vrabel said:
“When I arrived, he helped carry a new message into the locker room and establish the mindset and work ethic we were trying to instill throughout the team. His play on the field speaks for itself.”
After his release from Philadelphia, Byard signed with the Bears ahead of the 2024 season. Over two years in Chicago, per the Chicago Sun-Times, he served as a three-time team captain and played every game.
His connection with Vrabel was always about more than just scheme. The Sun-Times noted that Byard has often credited the coach as a strong influence on his career, a relationship that clearly held its value despite the years apart.
Former Bears safety Kevin Byard III tells me that he is signing with the New England Patriots, reuniting him with Mike Vrabel.
“Getting the band back together to go all the way”
Byard’s seven interceptions led the NFL in 2025. pic.twitter.com/kKOERBu4Gb
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 11, 2026
New England’s Young Secondary Gains an Experienced Leader Ahead of the 2026 Season
New England Patriots, Mike Vrabel
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Patriots already had a capable young safety in Craig Woodson, a fourth-round pick from the University of California in the 2025 draft. Woodson started 15 of 17 regular-season games as a rookie.
He logged 79 tackles and led the team in defensive snaps. In the playoffs, he led all players with 30 tackles and four tackles for loss.
Byard graded as the 14th-best safety in the NFL last season according to Pro Football Focus. The contract came in well below what many anticipated on the open market.
General manager Ryan Poles had said at season’s end he hoped to re-sign Byard. Chicago ultimately moved on, pivoting to free agent safety Coby Bryant, potentially leaving the Bears with two starting safeties to replace.
What changes with Byard in the fold is the experience level on the back end of a still-developing defense.