While NFL free agency is set to kick off next week the Chicago Bears have reportedly already started talking with a recently released player to replace Eddie Jackson.
It wasn’t that long ago when safety Eddie Jackson was a key part of the Bears’ defense and seemed like he would be a core member of their roster for the next decade. However, over the last four seasons, the 30-year-old has not been able to recapture the heights of 2018 and 2019 when he earned back-to-back trips to the Pro Bowl.
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That is why it wasn’t a surprise when Jackson was part of a pair of cuts last week that cleared up over $21 million in cap space for 2024. The assumption was that the organization might look to fill his spot when NFL free agency opens on March 11. However, it looks like the team could get Jackson’s replacement even sooner.
- Kevin Byard stats (2023): 122 tackles, 3 passed defended, 1 interception
On Saturday morning, NFL Media league insider Ian Rapoport reported that “The Bears hosted FA S Kevin Byard on a visit yesterday. The former All-Pro was with the Titans his entire career until a trade to the Eagles last season.”
During seven seasons with the Titans Byard was a two-time All-Pro. However, with the team having a down season he was shipped off to the Philadelphia Eagles before the October NFL trade deadline. Unfortunately, he didn’t deliver the performance they hoped for during his short stint with Philly and was cut by the Eagles last week.
Nevertheless, Byard had a career-high 122 tackles last season and has reeled in four or more interceptions five times during his career, including eight in 2017.
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