The Bears entered this month needing to replace three starters — who boasted a combined 308 games of experience — on a defense with the potential to be one of the league’s best. Sunday, they got a jumpstart on the free agency period by filling one hole, signing safety Kevin Byard.
The 30-year-old agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal, a source confirmed. He’s more durable and a more reliable tackler than Eddie Jackson, another two-time Pro Bowl player whom the Bears cut last month. He’s had a higher Pro Football Focus tackling grade than Jackson in every year since 2018 and has never missed a game in his eight-year career.