On Day 1 of free agency, the Chicago Bears filled their need for a starting safety by agreeing to terms with Coby Bryant. The easy expectation is he is the replacement for the very likely to depart Jaquan Brisker, paired with the easily foreshadowed priority to re-sign Kevin Byard.
But on Day 2 of the free agency legal tampering period, Byard remains without a deal from the Bears or any other team. At age-32 and coming off a season where he led the league in interceptions, this is likely to be his last chance at a notable multi-year deal. And as is the case with every free agent, whether fans like it or not, he should see what is out there on the open market to the fullest extent possible.
Bears insider invites free agency outcome that once seemed impossible
Appearing on 104.3 The Score, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune offered a plain assessment of the Bears' situation at safety in the wake of agreeing to terms with Bryant.
"I would have to believe the arrival of Coby Bryant makes it unlikely Kevin Byard would re-sign with the Bears. I think I've been pretty adamant all along that I don't think there's a future with the organization for Jaquan Brisker. I think they're moving on there.
"I think the most likely scenario is they add some more players at the position. Elijah Hicks could come back, maybe they look for a low-budget backup, (special) teams-type guy. You're hoping to find your next safety who can be here for a while in the draft. Or, I would imagine they are."
The expectation all along has been that Brisker would be gone, perhaps without even getting a viable contract offer from the Bears. But Byard coming back had been considered as much of a lead-pipe lock as anything that could happen in free agency, in light of Ryan Poles' repeated comments on that front.
Now Biggs, as plugged-in a Bears' reporter as there is, is suggesting the veteran safety is not going to be back after the signing of Bryant.
Things can and do change quickly in the NFL, especially during free agency when the market opens. Nothing is done until it's done, and the Bears did not reach an agreement with Byard when they had the exclusive ability to negotiate with and/or agree to a deal with him.
Read more: Ben Johnson turns to familiar face to add explosive playmaker on Bears special teams
The seemingly 99.9 percent chance Byard would be back in Chicago for a few more seasons, which existed days ago, now seems to have almost completely evaporated.