Kevin Byard Named Bears’ Defensive Player of the Year - And He Earned Every Bit of It
Kevin Byard didn’t just show up in Chicago - he showed out. The 32-year-old veteran safety was named the Bears’ Defensive Player of the Year, and if you watched a single snap of their season, it’s easy to see why. From leadership in the locker room to game-changing plays on the field, Byard was a steadying force in a team still finding its identity.
And now, just as he’s cemented himself as the heart of the Bears’ defense, he’s heading into free agency.
A Captain on Arrival
Byard didn’t need time to “adjust.” From the moment he arrived in Chicago, he played - and led - like someone who’d been there for years.
The Bears recognized it, too, naming him a team captain in his first season with the franchise. That’s not a ceremonial nod - that’s a statement.
Only two players wore the captain’s “C” in both 2024 and 2025: Kevin Byard and quarterback Caleb Williams. That kind of continuity tells you everything about Byard’s role in the locker room and on the field.
He wasn’t just a voice in the huddle. He was the guy teammates looked to when the defense needed to settle in, when the sideline needed a spark, or when the game was hanging in the balance.
You don’t hand out captaincies to just anyone. Byard earned his.
Ball Hawk and Tackling Machine
On the stat sheet, Byard was a menace. He led the entire league with seven interceptions - the second time in his career he’s topped that category.
That’s not just production; that’s elite-level anticipation and football IQ. He read quarterbacks like open books and made them pay.
But he wasn’t just lurking in the secondary waiting for errant throws. Byard was everywhere.
He racked up 93 total tackles - 61 of them solo - tying linebacker Tremaine Edmunds for the team lead. That kind of dual-threat production, both in coverage and in run support, is rare from a safety.
It’s what makes Byard such a valuable piece to any defensive puzzle.
A Defense That Bent, But Took the Ball Away
Let’s be real - the Bears’ defense didn’t dominate the stat columns this season. They hovered in the 20s across most major defensive metrics. But where they thrived was in the one area that often decides games: takeaways.
Chicago finished the season with a +22 turnover differential. That’s elite.
And while it was a team effort, Byard was the tone-setter. His ability to flip the field - to turn defense into offense - was critical.
In today’s NFL, where possession and time of possession are everything, those turnovers matter more than ever. The Bears didn’t just steal possessions - they cashed them in.
More Than a Stat Line
Byard’s Defensive Player of the Year award isn’t just about numbers. It’s about presence.
It’s about trust. When the Bears needed someone to bring order to a chaotic moment, they turned to No.
- When the defense needed a voice, Byard had it.
And when the ball was in the air, he was the one coming down with it.
His interceptions changed games. His leadership shaped the season.
Now, the Bears face a big decision. Byard is set to hit free agency, and while there’s plenty of speculation about his future, one thing is clear: re-signing him should be a priority. He’s more than just a productive veteran - he’s the kind of player you build a defense around.
If Chicago wants to keep building on the progress they made this season, keeping their defensive anchor in-house would go a long way. Kevin Byard brought stability, playmaking, and leadership to a team that needed all three.
Letting that walk out the door? That’s a risk the Bears might not want to take.