The New England Patriots have signed one of the best players in the NFL.
One of the top players in the NFL is signing with the New England Patriots.
Three-time All-Pro Kevin Byard is leaving the Chicago Bears and signing with the Patriots, per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Byard has a close relationship with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. The two were on the Tennessee Titans together.
A three-time Pro Bowler, Byard led the NFL in interceptions last season with seven. He also had eight passes defended, 61 solo tackles and four tackles for loss for the Bears, who won the NFC North and made it to the Divisional Round of the 2026 playoffs.
Byard had played for the Titans, Philadelphia Eagles and Bears. He enters next season with 36 career interceptions. The 32-year-old has led the NFL in picks twice.
The Patriots had 10 defensive interceptions last season. That number will be higher next season with Byard in the fold.
In Year 1 of the Vrabel era, New England won the AFC East and reached the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they lost to the Seattle Seahawks in the big game, 29-13.
Drake Maye finished the Super Bowl with 295 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and two interceptions. It's fair to wonder how he would have played against the Seahawks had he not gotten hurt against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.
Maye finished the 2025 regular season with 4,394 passing yards and 31 passing touchdowns while completing 72.0% of his passes. His numbers dropped in the playoffs to six touchdown passes and four interceptions.
"It stings. It's going to sting for a while," Maye said. "It's what makes this sport special. We were close, and you got to try to find that extra edge. I didn't play as well as I would have liked down the stretch, but I'm going to promise to do my best to work hard and get us back to those moments in those games."
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