NFL free agency doesn’t officially kick off until 12 PM ET on Monday for the Chicago Bears and the other 31 teams. But players who were released from their contracts are able to sign new deals right now. The same goes for players with expiring contracts.
Once players are able to begin exchanging dollar amounts and salary figures, it will be complete chaos on the open market. Perhaps that’s why the Bears are springing into action right now, adding talent to their roster before all hell breaks loose.
Former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard signs with Chicago Bears
According to Josina Anderson, the Chicago Bears have signed Kevin Byard to a two-year contract. Ian Rapoport has the contract details, where Byard is reportedly receiving up to $15 million in base salary spread out across two seasons.
A two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl safety, Byard rose to fame with the Tennessee Titans, where he led the NFL with eight interceptions in just his second season. He’d go on to record 27 more interceptions over his eight-year Titans career.
But last year, Tennessee traded Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2024 fifth and sixth-round selection, plus Terrell Edmunds. The trade must not have been to Philadelphia’s liking because Byard was released on March 1, which allowed him to get an early jump on the market.
Last year Byard ranked 23rd among safeties per Pro Football Focus. He recorded 122 tackles, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Now, he’ll take over for Eddie Jackson, who the Bears released in February.
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