The Chicago Bears have chosen a noteworthy path forward this offseason, with several signings in free agency, but also multiple noteworthy departures from a roster that was positioned to make a game-winning drive in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.
Some, the Bears telegraphed, like wide receiver DJ Moore (traded to the Buffalo Bills) and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (cut, signed with the New York Giants).
Others, while always possible, stand out amid all that is taking place.
Bears’ Kevin Byard Signs With New Team in Free Agency
Kevin Byard Bolts Bears for Reunion With Former Coach
The Bears signed Kevin Byard III in free agency during the 2024 offseason, and they will see him depart in a return to the AFC this offseason.
Byard’s two seasons in Chicago followed one half-season with the Philadelphia Eagles, who acquired him in a trade with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. The Titans drafted Byard 64th overall in 2016.
One strong connection to Tennessee has drawn him back to the AFC in free agency.
“Three-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard is signing with the Patriots on a one-year, $9 million deal, per sources,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on X on March 11.
The move reunites Byard with Mike Vrabel, New England’s head coach, who held the same role with the Titans for six seasons from 2018 through 2023. Vrabel and the Patriots reached the Super Bowl this past season.
Byard praised Vrabel, who was a candidate for the Bears’ head coaching job that went to Ben Johnson.
“He’s definitely one of my all-time favorite coaches. Probably the smartest football mind that I ever been around. One of the few coaches I ever been around that was involved in everything – offense, defense, special teams. He can coach every position on the field,” Byard told CHGO Bears’ Adam Hoge in January 2025.
“It was just his want-to to win. Obviously, he had done it as a player at a high level for a very long time, so it’s very easy to kind of buy into the things that you know he was coaching and teaching and preaching and stuff like that.”
Byard, who turns 33 in August, is a three-time Pro Bowler and three-time First Team All-Pro.
He led the NFL in interceptions this past season. But he is the second Pro Bowler the Bears have allowed to walk for what was a seemingly below-market-value deal.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright signed with the New York Jets on a one-year, $5 million contract on Day 2 of free agency. Spotrac projected Wright would receive a three-year, $50 million deal on the open market.
Spotrac projected Byard was in line for a two-year, $15.6 million contract.
That neither player received even the annual value projected stands out. But Byard’s departure–along with that of tight end Durham Smythe to the Baltimore Ravens and the apparent departure of defensive tackle Andrew Billings–looms large.
Bears Upgrading Speed, Losing Proven Production
The Bears replaced Edmunds with Devin Bush, who is fast but also undersized and has a spottier track record. Byard’s replacement appears to be Coby Bryant, though Jaquan Brisker remains a free agent, too.
Chicago added veteran Cam Lewis, but he is more of a utility depth contributor rather than a viable starting option.
The Bears will likely turn to Luther Burden III to replace Moore.
However, the losses in the Bears’ locker room in terms of leadership have been significant. Byard is a two-time team captain. Smythe operated as the team’s H-back last season. Edmunds was a face for the defense on the field and in the locker room.
Moore, for all of the profiling done about his game and fit in Buffalo compared to Chicago, did not rock the boat while with the latter, even amid career-low production in 2025.
Some of the Bears’ moves were financially motivated.
Others, such as trading for Garrett Bradbury to replace Drew Dalman following the latter’s surprising retirement, were forced upon them. In that sense, the Bears’ decisions on Byard and Wright loom large ahead of the 2026 season.
They can replace the players on the roster–their cornerback room remains deep, if not stacked. Replacing the intangibles is much tougher.