The 30-year-old safety, Kevin Byard Reveals the main reason Why He Chose Bears Over Other NFL Suitors 

Kevin Byard, a two-time All-Pro, found himself in the free agency market for the first time after the Philadelphia Eagles released him on March 3 due to salary cap constraints. His stint as a free agent lasted merely nine days before he opted to sign a two-year deal with the Bears, stepping in to fill the gap left by the departure of Eddie Jackson.

Byard, known for his dedication to studying game film, was well aware of the defensive talent present in the Bears roster, particularly in the secondary, when his agent informed him of their interest. For Byard, the decision to join a team he perceives as ascending in the NFL was a straightforward one.

During his introductory press conference at Halas Hall, Byard expressed his admiration for what Coach Matt Eberflus is constructing with the team. He highlighted the promising defensive pieces, especially in the secondary, such as Jaylon Johnson and Jaquan Brisker.

Byard, having spent the majority of his career with the Tennessee Titans, was familiar with Eberflus’ defensive scheme from the coach’s time with the Indianapolis Colts. This familiarity, combined with his observations of the Bears’ 2023 season, convinced Byard that he could make a significant contribution to the young secondary, alongside Johnson.

“I really like what Coach Matt [Eberflus] is building here just as a team,” Byard said Thursday at his introductory press conference at Halas Hall. “There’s a lot to be excited about. But like I said, this defense has a lot of great pieces here, for sure, especially in the secondary. Obviously, I just signed Jaylon to a big extension, and I really think highly of him. He’s a really great player. And obviously, getting with Brisker, Jaquan, I think he’s a really good ascending player as well. But obviously, there’s a lot of pieces, from Kyler Gordon, obviously Tyrique Stevenson, who was a rookie last year. So I like what they’re doing in the secondary. And obviously, you got Montez Sweat, whom you obviously brought in in a trade.

“A lot of great pieces and obviously two really good linebackers, so excited about this defense and just excited about the prospect of what we could in this team and the challenge of obviously trying to knock Detroit off the high horse.”

Byard emphasized the hunger and camaraderie he observed in the Bears’ defense under Eberflus, stating his eagerness to be a part of such an environment. He views his role as one where he can leverage his experience to help elevate the team’s defensive performance.

Overall, Byard sees joining the Bears as an exciting challenge, fueled by the energy and potential within the team and the division. He is enthusiastic about the prospect of contributing to the Bears’ success and looks forward to being a part of the team.