With Robert Saleh back at the helm of the defense, the San Francisco 49ers are once again looking like a team built to make noise in January. Injuries have piled up, sure-but this group has found ways to win anyway, thanks to a defense that’s quietly reestablishing itself as one of the stingiest units in the league.
Just before their bye, the Niners handled the Cleveland Browns with a 26-8 win. That came just six days after a 20-9 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
In both games, the defense set the tone-limiting explosive plays, tightening up in the red zone, and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks. Over this current three-game win streak, San Francisco has allowed just 39 points.
That’s not just good-it’s the kind of defensive consistency that wins divisions.
Through 13 games, the 49ers have held opponents to 21 points or fewer in seven of their wins, including their first three games of the season. That’s a clear sign of a defense that’s not just surviving-it’s dictating terms.
But while the pass rush and run defense have been solid, there's one area where the Niners haven’t quite hit their stride: takeaways. San Francisco is currently tied for the eighth-lowest turnover differential in the league.
They’ve forced nine fumbles-tied for third-most in the NFL-but interceptions have been harder to come by. That’s a gap that could come back to bite them in tight playoff matchups, where one turnover can swing an entire game.
That’s where a player like Kevin Byard could make all the difference.
Byard, the veteran safety currently with the Chicago Bears, is having another standout season. At 32, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
He leads the league with six interceptions and has added seven more passes defended in 2025. His instincts, ball skills, and leadership have been critical to a Bears defense that’s helped keep them in the thick of the NFC playoff race.
Just look at what he did against the Raiders earlier this year-two picks off Geno Smith, including one that helped seal a 25-24 win. When Byard gets his hands on the football, good things happen.
In fact, the Bears are undefeated in games where he’s recorded an interception this season. That includes a pick against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, a reminder that Byard still shows up in the biggest moments.
He’s in the final year of his two-year deal with Chicago, and with free agency looming, he’ll be one of the most coveted defenders on the market. For a 49ers team that’s already built around a strong front seven, adding a seasoned playmaker like Byard on the back end could be the missing piece.
John Lynch and the front office have never been shy about making aggressive moves to strengthen this roster. If they want to take the next step in 2026-especially in a conference stacked with explosive offenses-bringing in a proven ballhawk like Byard should be near the top of their offseason to-do list.
He’s a two-time Pro Bowler with a decade of experience and a resume full of big plays. And if the 49ers want to turn a good defense into a great one, Byard might just be the guy to help them get there.