The Chicago Bears head into the offseason with a laundry list of decisions to make, and near the top of that list is veteran safety Kevin Byard - a player who’s made a strong case to be more than just a one-year rental.
At 32, Byard isn’t the flashiest name on the market, but his impact in Chicago last season was undeniable. He led the NFL with seven interceptions and added eight passes defensed - fourth-most on the Bears' defense.
That kind of production doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s the result of a savvy veteran who still sees the game a step ahead.
But it’s not just the stat sheet that tells the story. Byard’s leadership has also been a key asset.
He’s served as a captain in back-to-back seasons since signing a two-year, $15 million deal in 2024, and his presence in the locker room has been just as valuable as his play on the field. That kind of veteran leadership is hard to replace - especially on a defense still developing its identity.
The good news for Chicago? Byard is open to returning, and the Bears have shown interest in bringing him back.
The challenge? The rest of the safety room is also due for a shake-up, with Jaquan Brisker leading the list of pending free agents.
Now, let’s talk numbers. According to projections, Brisker could command around $10 million per year on the open market - a significant jump from the $4 million he made last season.
Byard, on the other hand, is expected to see a modest drop from his $8.5 million salary, with a projected figure closer to $7 million. That $3 million gap might not seem like much, but in a tight cap situation, every dollar counts.
And the Bears’ secondary isn’t exactly cheap. Nahshon Wright is projected to be in the $16 million range, while Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson already combine for over $38 million in cap hits next season. At some point, Chicago has to draw the line on how much it’s willing to spend on its defensive backfield.
When you stack it all up - age, production, leadership, and price - Byard emerges as the most logical piece to retain. He may not have Brisker’s youth or upside, but he brings reliability and a deep understanding of the system. That matters, especially when the team doesn’t have a clear replacement waiting in the wings.
Brisker, for all his potential, is likely to chase the biggest offer. And that’s fair - he’s earned the right to test the market.
But for the Bears, it’s a calculated risk. Letting Brisker walk might sting in the short term, but if they can draft a young safety to develop alongside a steady vet like Byard, it could be the smarter long-term play.
Wright, meanwhile, hasn’t proven enough to justify a massive investment. And with Tyrique Stevenson waiting in the wings, the Bears may already have a cheaper in-house option ready to step in.
Bottom line: If Chicago is going to invest in one veteran safety this offseason, Kevin Byard checks all the boxes. He’s productive, he’s respected, and he fits both the scheme and the locker room culture. In a secondary that’s already heavy on big contracts, bringing Byard back on a reasonable deal might be the smartest move the Bears can make.