With NFL Free Agency set to open on Monday, the Chicago Bears can already cross off the safety position as one of the needs.
The Bears met with two-time All-Pro Safety Kevin Byard on Friday, and on Sunday, the two sides agreed to a two-year deal.
Source: The #Bears are signing All-Pro S Kevin Byard to a 2-year deal worth $15M base.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2024
This is not the first time in the past calendar year that Byard has joined a team expecting to provide an upgrade in the safety position. The Philadelphia Eagles traded by Byard an in-season trade with the Tennessee Titans. Byard struggled in his team with the Eagles, leading to him being released by the team earlier this off-season.
Given that the Eagles' defense struggled as a whole during the second half of the season, the Bears seem to be paying for a resurgence of Byard reaching the production level that made him a two-time Pro Bowler. Considering the number of safeties that were available this off-season, it's strange to see the Bears jump the market for a veteran who is coming off a down season.
There is a path where Byard could be an ideal compliment to Jaquan Brisker at the safety position for the Bears. Byard has 10 interceptions combined throughout the past three seasons. While it may be unlikely that Byard reaches All-Pro levels again in terms of his pass coverage, if he can create turnovers as he did with the Titans, that would be a great addition to the Bears' secondary.
The starting pieces in the Bears' secondary are now in place with Byard and Brisker as the two safeties, Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson as the starting cornerbacks on the outside, and Kyler Gordon as the starting nickleback.
With safety crossed off their list of needs ahead of the start of Free Agency in earnest, expect the Bears to make their prized signing at either the defensive tackle or running back position. While the Bears have been linked to veteran running backs Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley, a large expenditure on the defensive line would be the finishing touch on a defense that is ready to become one of the best units in all of football.