Kevin Byard was supposed to be a bridge signing for the Chicago Bears. Instead, he became the backbone of their defense. And now, with his contract expiring, he’s about to become one of the franchise’s toughest offseason decisions.
Signed to a modest two year, $15 million contract before the 2024 season, Byard looked like a savvy veteran addition at the time. But what he turned into under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was something far more valuable: the leader and playmaker behind the NFL’s most turnover-hungry defense.
And that success is exactly what has created Chicago’s looming $24 million problem.
Byard’s 2025 campaign was elite:
- League high six interceptions
- Defensive captain for a first place Bears team
- Third career Pro Bowl selection
- Key piece of a Chicago defense that led the NFL with 31 takeaways
The projected price tag
GettyBears Safety Kevin Byard
Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron recently predicted Kevin Byard will command a two year, $24 million extension this offseason, $12M per year.
For a 32 year old safety, that’s significant money. Not quite market-resetting, but well above what most veterans his age receive. Recent history shows teams are hesitant to commit big dollars to safeties over 30, even productive ones.
The concern for Chicago isn’t whether Byard deserves the deal (he absolutely does based on performance). The issue is projection.
This was Byard’s first multi-interception season since 2022. He hadn’t made a Pro Bowl since 2021 before this resurgence. Paying him now means betting that this wasn’t a late career spike but rather proof he’s a perfect fit in Allen’s system moving forward.
That’s a risky wager for a front office that values sustainability. Yet letting him walk could ruin the identity of a defense built entirely around creating turnovers.
The stakes get even higher when you zoom out cause fellow starting safety Jaquan Brisker is also entering free agency.
That means the Chicago Bears could realistically head into 2026 without either starting safety from a defense that just led the league in takeaways. Byard’s price tag alone is difficult. Pair that with Brisker’s uncertain future, and suddenly the Bears are staring at a potential full reset on the back end.
Byard wants to stay… But at what cost?
GettyBears Safety Kevin Byard
Byard has been clear about his mindset. He loves Chicago. Loves Allen’s scheme. Loves the locker room. But he’s also realistic that he’s year to year at this stage of his career.
“For me personally, I would love to be here,” Byard said back in May. “I’ve loved being here over the last year and going forward. This thing is year-to-year and honestly, it’s probably going to be year-to-year for the rest of my career until I’m done playing.”
So Chicago is stuck in between: Reward the veteran who helped transform their defense… Or risk losing him and Brisker and forcing a major secondary rebuild.
Kevin Byard was a steal when the Chicago Bears signed him. Now he’s expensive because he outplayed that contract in every possible way.
That’s the offseason problem looming over Halas Hall. And it’s one the Bears can’t afford to get wrong.
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