The Chicago Bears' defense has had its rough moments, but it has been incredible in one category: turnovers.
Chicago has created the most turnovers in the NFL through 11 weeks at 22, including two interceptions in their most recent 19-17 win over the Minnesota Vikings. It has caught the NFL's attention for its play, and its head coach, Ben Johnson, is also pretty happy about it.
While speaking with the media, Johnson praised the defense for being able to grab an NFL-leading 15 interceptions on the season. The Bears' head coach made sure to call out one guy who has done it better than anyone else in the league, Kevin Byard III.
"It's a credit to those guys that when they do get their hands on the football, they bring it in. KB (Kevin Byard) has some of the best instincts at that safety position that I've been around."
Byard has been a stud all season for the Bears
Chicago's defense has been stellar at intercepting all season, with three of its defenders in the top five in the NFL in that category. Byard leads the way with five interceptions, the only player in the NFL with that many, and Tremaine Edmunds and Nahshon Wright are tied for second with four interceptions.
Byard has been more than just the guy who gets interceptions for this Bears' defense; he has been the leader of this unit, which needed it after the losses of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. In 10 games, Byard has racked up 53 tackles, six pass deflections, and three tackles for loss to add to the interception numbers.
It's been far from perfect on defense for the Bears, but Byard has helped keep them good enough to win games. The defense will start to get healthier with Johnson, Gordon, and T.J. Edwards expected to be back in the next few weeks from injuries.
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Until then, the Bears will continue to do what they do best and that's creating turnovers to help the offense.