The Chicago Bears continue to invest in their secondary this offseason, reportedly signing All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to a two-year contract.
Byard was released by the Philadelphia Eagles, so he didn’t have to wait until the start of the new league year to sign a new contract.
CBS Sports first reported the agreement. The deal is worth a base $15 million, according to NFL Network.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Kevin Byard of the Philadelphia Eagles tackles Kadarius Toney of the Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 20, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (David Urit/Getty Images)
Byard, 30, visited the Bears on Friday and seems to like the Bears’ current situation, with a starting spot secured to save salary cap space following the release of Eddie Jackson.
Byard was released by the Eagles, who were also looking to reduce their salary cap, but safety is an undervalued position league-wide, given how many teams are releasing talented players. . Players like Xavier McKinnie and Justin Simmons will be looking for new homes this week.
Bears and Jaylon Johnson agree to big four-year extension after franchise tag is stripped
But Byard, a two-time first-team All-Pro selection, joins a Bears team that is clearly looking to use its massive amount of cap room to compete in 2024.
Bears GM Ryan Pauls just gave cornerback Jaylon Johnson a long-term contract extension after his first franchise deal. He signed a four-year contract worth $76 million with $54 million guaranteed.
Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans reacts after a third-down stop against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 17, 2023 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. (Johnny Izquierdo/Getty Images)
So the Poles invested in defense with Byard, Johnson and Montez Sweat at edge rusher (four years, $98 million) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (four years, $72 million).
Now, armed with more cap space and two top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including the No. 1 overall pick, Pole is in a position to make the Bears a more formidable group on paper next season.
Byard was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Eagles in October. He finished the year with 122 tackles, one interception, and three passes defended for both teams.
Kevin Byard of the Tennessee Titans stands for the national anthem before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on January 2, 2022. (Kevin Savitas/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
His last All-Pro season was in 2021, when he had 88 tackles, one sack, five interceptions (one pick-sixer) and six passes defended for the Titans.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
