With the season over in Chicago, the attention turns to whether the Bears can keep the core together that propelled the club to its first NFC North title since 2018.
One of the several free key free agents is safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with seven interceptions -- the second time in his career he's led the league in picks. Byard said Monday his "first choice" would be to remain in Chicago, but noted he can't predict the future.
"With the success that we all had this season as a team, I think a lot of guys on this team are going to be coveted around this league, honestly," he said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. "And I think the same way the organization is always going to do what's best for the team, I think I owe that to my family as well."
A three-time Pro Bowler, Byard played a key role in Dennis Allen's defense, owning the range to cover swaths of space and the smarts and savvy to cover up mistakes on the outside. Byard was named a first-team All-Pro for the third time in his career.
The Bears signed Byard in 2024 to a two-year, $15 million pact. His veteran leadership and playmaking on the back end should be coveted in free agency; however, safeties turning 33 before the season don't normally see a trove of suitors. Conversely, this could be the last chance at a payday for a player entering his 11th season.
"I want to be able to play at a higher level and all that good stuff," he said, "but what motivates me and what drives that is to want to win and try to be the best person, to be the best player, leader, teammate that I could possibly be for this organization -- or any organization."
With Byard and fellow safety Jaquan Brisker both set to be free agents, how the Bears remake their secondary will be key for Ben Johnson's squad to continue its upward trend in 2025. Other Bears free agents include offensive tackle Braxton Jones, receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, slot Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, cornerback Nahshon Wright, returner Devin Duvernay and defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
Chicago is currently projected to be roughly $4 million above the salary cap, per Over The Cap.
