The Chicago Bears‘ defense could be about to see some significant turnover when free agency begins.
Few positions pose more critical questions for general manager Ryan Poles and Chicago than at safety, where veterans Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Jaquan Brisker are all set to become unrestricted free agents when the new NFL league year begins this month.
However, the Bears are reportedly closing in on keeping one of their star safeties from hitting the market.
Chicago Bears trending towards re-signing Kevin Byard, report says
According to ESPN 1000’s David Kaplan, signs seem to be pointing towards the Bears bringing Byard back, potentially before free agency begins.
“Kevin Byard I was told by somebody who would know, that he is 70/30 that he’s going to be a Bear,” Kaplan says. “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. Played in an amazing level. And then you’re gonna have to pair him probably with a young safety unless there is a veteran out there that they can make a deal to take on some of his money, or perhaps there is a veteran safety that gets released for salary cap reasons.”
The Bears originally signed Byard to a two-year contract worth $15 million, and he became a driving force behind the secondary’s success, particularly last season.
Byard pulled down a league-leading seven interceptions in 2025 and would likely be among the more sought after safeties if he reaches free agency, but it sounds like the Bears are working to prevent that from happening.
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