-
Follow Us
On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
While everyone in media surrounding Chicago has been focusing on the Bears' new-look offense, not many people have focused as closely to what changes have been made to the other side of the ball.
Going into Year 3 of the Matt Eberflus era, the Bears' defense will largely look the same but will have some tweaks under new defensive coordinator Eric Washington, especially with some of the new defensive talent coming into town.
The main difference-maker added to the defense that finished the 2023 season ranked among the top units in the league is former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
Byard's experience and leadership from spending eight seasons in the league cannot go unnoticed in terms of the impact he will have on the Bears' young secondary. As for his on the field play, his range of experience in different coverages and positions can help make the Bears' unit even more unpredictable for offenses to face in 2024.
Byard will be teaming up in the backend of the Bears' secondary with an equally versatile and younger safety in Jaquan Brisker. The various abilities of the two in terms of playing different positions can lead to some fun coverages for the Bears' defense.
"I think that's just how the league is now, you want guys to be versatile," Byard explained following Thursday's practice. "I think it's a lot for quarterbacks. We want to be able to be versatile and try to make it hard for offenses."
Having two safeties that can play either in the box to deep downfield is a major advantage to have and was clearly the goal the front office and coaching staff had in mind when it came to bringing Byard in during free agency.
"[Brisker's] versatility, that's one thing I like about playing with him because last year, [Eddie Jackson] was back and he was in the box. I don't want to see that this year," Byard said. "For us, early on, let's be versatile. I don't want teams to get a beat on us."
Byard has made a career of mixing up his coverages in the secondary to fool opposing offenses. In 2023, Byard played 551 snaps in deep coverage and 378 snaps in the box, along with 234 snaps in the slot.
"I like to mix it up," Byard added. "I just like playing football. I've played a lot of ball and I can do both. I like to be back too, I like to catch interceptions. It really depends on the call and anything I can do to help the team."
As for the duo themselves building chemistry on the field, having a seasoned veteran like Byard beside a young rising star like Brisker will only allow him to get better and better over the next two years and Byard's already come away impressed from what he's seen out of Brisker since arriving in Chicago.
"He's vocal like I am about going over the details of the coverages, he's very coachable and he's fun to play with," Byard said. "The confidence he has going into Year 3 reminds me of myself."
Even beyond the safety tandem, when you add in the Bears' talented cornerbacks in the secondary as well in Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson that only helps round out this unit into potentially one of the best in the entire league.
More must-reads:
- One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
- Free-agent DB Stephon Gilmore addresses playing future
- The 'Multiple seasons with 2000+ scrimmage yards' quiz
Breaking News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
