The Chicago Bears have spent a lot in free agency over the past several seasons, but few of their signings have been a better bargain than safety Kevin Byard. Signed to a two-year, $15 million contract before the 2024 season, Byard has been one of Chicago’s best defenders and has taken off under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
On Sunday, Byard took another step toward validating that status. With an interception against the Minnesota Vikings, Byard now leads the NFL with five interceptions and a Chicago defense that now sits atop the NFC North with a 7-2 record. While Bears fans may feel great about Byard now, he’s a name to watch heading into the offseason and could give general manager Ryan Poles a complicated decision as he’s set to enter free agency.
Kevin Byard’s Emergence Creates a Long-Term Problem for Bears Secondary
Byard has put himself in an excellent position to cash in during next year’s free agent period. Even if he doesn’t wind up leading the league in interceptions, he’s been a consistent performer, grading ninth among 95 qualifying safeties with a 76.1 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus. Most importantly, his overall grade is the third-best among safeties in next year’s free agent class, trailing Jaylinn Hawkins of the New England Patriots (79.1) and Ronnie Hickman Jr. of the Cleveland Browns (77.2).
While Byard’s performance validates a big contract, his age may be the one thing that prevents the Bears or any other team from giving it to him. Per Spotrac, Byard is the fifth-oldest safety projected to hit the market next season. Of the four players in front of him, only Jimmie Ward of the Houston Texans ($10.5 million) made more than the $7.5 million average annual value that Byard is making this season.
Teams also refrained from paying safeties over the age of 30 last offseason. Eric Murray got $6.5 million from the Jacksonville Jaguars entering his age-31 season last spring, while Xavier Woods netted $4 million AAV from the Tennessee Titans. Neither of those players led the league in interceptions, so it's possible Byard could seek something just shy of Ward’s contract with the Texans.
What the Bears do next is the hard part. Byard’s play has shown his importance to the Bears, but they would be right to wonder if it’s a pop-up year. This season is the first time that Byard has had multiple interceptions since he grabbed four with the Titans in 2022, and he hasn’t made a Pro Bowl since he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2021.
With Jaquan Brisker also slated to be a free agent with a projected market value of $11.6 million, the Bears may not want to invest in two safeties and choose Byard’s younger counterpart. While Byard stated he wants to stay in Chicago the rest of his career, he’d likely have to be on a team-friendly deal for one or two years with some flexibility for the team.
Facing the final payday of his career, Byard and the Bears have a difficult decision to make at the end of this season. But with the way Byard is playing, it could price his way out of Chicago and leave the Bears’ secondary looking much different in 2026.