If there is one free agent that every Chicago Bears fan wants to see back in the Windy City, it's safety Kevin Byard.
Byard had an incredible season for the Bears in 2025, finishing with 93 tackles, eight pass deflections, a league-high seven interceptions, and four tackles for loss across 17 games. He earned his third career Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections with his play.
Now entering the offseason as a free agent, Byard is one of the many free agent decisions the Bears have to make, specifically in the secondary. Byard is joined by Nahshon Wright, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson as free agents that Chicago has to decide whether to bring back or let walk.
Kevin Byard shared his thoughts on returning to Chicago in 2026
While speaking on the Hoge and Jahns show, Byard was asked about coming back to the Bears in 2026. The Bears captain made it known what his thoughts are.
“The hardest thing to do in this league is to get the quarterback and head coach right. I think that’s something that Chicago has so I think that window is going to be open for as long as it needs to be so obviously I would love to come back and play for the Bears.”
There isn't a secret to how the bears feel about Byard, either. At the end-of-year press conference, the only free agent for the Bears that was uttered from general manager Ryan Poles' mouth was Byard, as he would like to bring him back.
The likelihood of Byard coming back is strong, as he is a bit older; he won't command as much money in free agency despite being a Pro Bowler and All-Pro in 2025. Chicago would rather give their money to him than to someone like Brisker, who is young and going to be more expensive.
Where Chicago could succeed in the offseason is by bringing back Byard and letting him mentor a rookie safety the Bears select in the 2026 NFL Draft. That way, the Bears can still get production in 2026 while building for the future. Also, it helps the team save money when pursuing a big-name pass rusher like Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby.
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Byard is a favorite among the Chicago fan base and would be someone the Bears can get behind in bringing back for 2026.