The Patriots are not resting on the laurels of their elite defensive performance in 2025. Instead, they are continuing to upgrade the unit with veteran safety Kevin Byard. He is expected to sign a one-year, $9MM deal, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
In New England, Byard will reunite with Mike Vrabel, who was his head coach for much of his time in Tennessee.
The 2016 third-round pick earned a starting job in his second year and received a first-team All-Pro nod after le Vrabel was hired the following offseason, and Byard was a key part of his defense for the next five years. He was named an All-Pro again in 2021 and put up another strong campaign in 2022, but he was sent to the Eagles at the 2023 trade deadline after the Titans’ 2-4 start. That was also Vrabel’s last year in Tennessee.
Byard signed a two-year, $15MM contract to join the Bears in 2024 and started every game. He was one of many players to see a big jump in performance under the new coaching staff in 2025 with seven interceptions and his third first-team All-Pro selection. Chicago worked to retain him, but Byard preferred to join his former head coach and the reigning AFC champions, per The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson.
In New England, Byard will replace Jaylinn Hawkins in the Patriots secondary after his departure to Baltimore. Hawkins started 15 games in 2025 with a team-high four interceptions, production that the veteran ballhawks should be able to replace. Byard will slot in next to rookie standout Craig Woodson, where his decade of NFL experience could foster the development of the 2025 fourth-round pick.
Steal for patriots Byard is really good
Had a nice run with the Bears. His 2025 season was outstanding. He was a strong play maker and a leader on the field and locker room. Worth a 1 year deal but he’s a regression candidate.
Dude I love this so much. Growing up with belichick (even though I loved the winning) seeing patriots actually make free agency moves of significance is amazing
How could the Bears not match that?
Back with Vrabes
Interesting Vrabel takes him back. Since, Vrabel was given the decision to keep him or let him walk while with Tennessee. At that time he decided to let him walk. But hey, things and circumstances change.
I think writing was on the wall once Bears signed Bryant cause they play same position I believe. Curious to see if they let Brisker walk as well.
Brisker’s not coming back.. Unless his price really falls.
Crazy how everyone was predicting Byard would get 2 years/ 20 mill.
I will say, even though he had 7 ints, overall, he was rated poorly in pass coverage. Maybe he’s lost a step and the Bears could see it…
I wish him the best..
It’s always understandable not to pay a DB turning 33, even if he’s still playing well.
I think he is slowing down a bit. He got by with experience. Bears obviously think this is a year they can get a lot faster in the D. Backfield with either moving people around or drafting them. With the Receivers in their division they have to defend, It had to get better. Especially with the TE’s thrown in also. It needed a major upgrade.
Only $9MIL…..just to play football?
Good veteran addition.
It was pretty obvious that the Bears needed to improve the team speed at LB and safety. I don’t think the Bears really thought they could win the turnover battle by as big a margin as they did last year without adding speed. With JJ and Gordon basically being down most of the year they were at a bad disadvantage. Hopefully with a couple of draft picks of another speedy LB and a S they can improve their coverage and get more frugal. I was just glancing at the Cap for next year and the Bears can open up around 100 million dollars by losing, JJ, Sweat, Gordon, Edwards, Jarrett, Kmet and Oyedingbo . Of course then they have to replace them but Allen at least gets to replace them with guys who fit his system. We’ll have to wait and see how it looks on the field , But I can see what Allen is trying to do. Maybe they keep that #1 and get themselves a top S in this draft. Or a standout LB whichever is there at 25. Right now they just need better health in the defensive backfield would go a long way to fixing things.
Not making excuses for the Bears defense this past season. But the secondary and linebackers were beat to hell with injuries.
Byard for his age is still exceptional.
Savings at a glance for 27
Sweat 21 million
JJ 16 million
Odeyingbo 15 million
Jarrett 12 million
Gordon 8 million
Kmet 10 million
Edwards 8 million
Total 90 million
Plus at this moment they already have 49 million which will surely change before then anyway. So that’s the scoop. Maybe they bring some back with new cheaper deals, Maybe not.
Let’s see who comes out healthy.
Only one I’d miss is Kmet. Hopefully Poles signs FAs that Johnson/Allen tells him to.
Byard is one of the smartest DBs I’ve seen in a long time. But there were plenty of times down the stretch where he had an angle but still couldn’t catch up to a ball carrier/receiver. Sad to see him go … but too much $$ for a soon-to-be 33 year old.
Byard + Brown .. Better plan at safety for NE this year versus last yr at this time
This will be a very interesting situation to watch.
I’ve always loved Byard, especially as a Philly guy. As other people have said, he is an extremely smart player who has been able to keep playing well and making plays even as he gets older and loses a step. The Eagles trading for him always reminded me of their bringing in Blaine Bishop after Damon Moore went down in the previous year’s NFC Championship Game.
He got unfairly scapegoated in Philly when in reality the problem with their secondary for years was Avonte Maddox and his not wanting to ever tackle anybody and constantly getting burned in coverage. He’s the one who one thousand percent cost the Eagles the 2022-23 Superbowl defensively, not one play from Bradberry. It was no surprise to me that the Eagles’ secondary took a huge nosedive when Maddox came back from injury in time for the 2023 playoffs.
Vrabel obviously knows Byard better than anybody and coached him to multiple Pro Bowls but it’ll be interesting to see how well they can support him rather than leaving him out on an island like Philly did.