Overview
- General manager Ryan Poles said the team wants Kevin Byard back after his first-team All-Pro season.
- Byard led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2025 and logged 93 tackles, reinforcing his value as a veteran leader.
- Chicago enters the offseason with its top safeties set to hit free agency, leaving only practice-squad safety Gervarrius Owens under contract.
- Analysts identify Dallas as a plausible suitor given its secondary needs and a deep free-agent safety class that includes Byard.
- Market projections range from roughly $8–12 million per year, and with the Bears projected about $4 million over the cap, reporting suggests Jaquan Brisker may be priced out if Byard is prioritized.