Kevin Byard doesn’t hold back on Chicago Bears extension hopes

In his first year with the Bears, Byard racked up 130 tackles, seven passes defended, two sacks and an interception. The safety led the team in tackles and ranked third in passes defended. Furthermore, Byard earned a 72.8 grade from Pro Football Focus, ranking 32/171.

But the safety took a major hit due to his work in coverage, where he earned just a 61.6 grade. He ranked eighth in run defense (86) and sixth in pass rush (83). So while new defensive coordinator while need to amp up Byard’s coverage ability, the veteran still has plenty of crafty tools he brings to the table.

Alongside his own work on the field, Byard will be tasked with continuing to mentor Jaquan Brisker. brisker played in just five games during the 2024 season due to a concussion. However, he has shown flashes when healthy. As Brisker makes his return to the field, Byard must be his guide as their communication will be crucial on the secondary’s back end.

It’s telling that the Bears didn’t add a safety in the 2025 NFL Draft. While they selected cornerback Zah Frazier in the safety round, Byard or Brisker weren’t given much competition entering the offseason program. While Chicago could always dip back into the free agency well, for now, the team feels confident with their current depth.

Perhaps that’s a sign they’re willing to continue working with Byard on a year-to-year basis. It seems logical that eventually Chicago will find his long-term replacement. But if the safety continues playing at a high live, the Bears won’t force him out of town.

The 2025 season will be pivotal for everyone on the Bears. But with Byard in a contract year, it’s up to him to prove he still has plenty of gas in the tank and can be dominant force on defense.