Key safety Kevin Byard nears a deal to remain with the Bears, potentially shaping the team's defensive backfield for years to come.
Kevin Byard is a high-priority Chicago Bears free agent that the team absolutely needs to bring back in 2026.
At the ripe age of 32, Byard just made his third-ever Pro Bowl, was a First-Team All-Pro and led the NFL with seven interceptions. On top of that, he finished with 93 total tackles and four TFLs.
After his time with the Philadelphia Eagles, Byard bet on himself and proved everyone wrong. He is living proof that a defensive back can still be productive in the NFL well into his 30s.
Byard has already made it well-known that he would love to be back with the Bears in the near future. His market value has gone up slightly since his last contract with Chicago in 2024.
According to Spotrac, Byard's value has gone up from $7.5 million to $7.8 million. This means that the Bears could bring him back on a similar deal, which is great news.
It seems a deal is nearing completion, according to ESPN1000's David Kaplan. He shared that a source told him that Byard is feeling 70/30 that he's going to be a Bear in 2026.
They are trying to get a contract extension done that is a good deal for both sides.
"Kevin Byard, I was told by somebody who would know, that he is 70/30 that he is going to be a Bear," Kaplan said. "They're working on it, they're trying to get a deal done that's fair for both sides. How do you not give this guy a raise? I know he's in his 30s, but he's First-Team All-Pro. He played at an amazing level. Then, you're gonna have to pair him, probably with a young safety, unless there's a veteran out there and they could make a deal to take on some of his money, or perhaps there's a veteran safety that gets released for salary cap reasons."
With that news, this means that an extension for fellow safety Jaquan Brisker is unlikely. Brisker's rising market value was already going to make it hard to bring him back, but with talks between the Bears and Byard nearing a conclusion, the former Penn State product is most likely going to be playing for another team in 2026.
Brisker just had 93 total tackles, one interception, one TFL, and one sack, but his time with the Bears is coming to a close, it seems.
If what Kaplan says is true, then it sounds like Byard is going to be back in Chicago. With the start of the new league year not until March 11, Byard would have to wait for an extension.
However, this is great news for Byard and the Bears as a whole.