The Chicago Bears signed veteran All-Pro safety Kevin Byard on Sunday to a two-year deal. That news was significant around the NFL world, and so was a post that showed what Byard can bring to the table.
Byard, a nine-year veteran in the NFL, played his last nine seasons with the Tennessee Titans and, most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles grabbed Byard during the season, and he played ten games with them down the stretch. So, the Bears will be Byard’s third team by the time this next season comes around.
Byard has played like one of the NFL’s best safeties during his career, and the stats show exactly that. Not just the standard ones, either. Pro Football Focus’ stats show that Byard is a complete player. He might be even better than the Bears’ last safety, Eddie Jackson, who the team moved on from this past year.
Chicago-area reported Patrick Finley highlighted the differences between the two players by pulling up each of their PFF statboards. Clearly, there’s a big difference between the two, and Byard has played significantly better at times. Especially against the run.
Comparing @PFF scores for Kevin Byard vs. Eddie Jackson pic.twitter.com/zJbOfRRPmN
— Patrick Finley (@patrickfinley) March 10, 2024
This news might really please Bears fans, who’ve been dealing with a lot over the past few seasons. The team struggled again in 2023 but has two Top 10 picks this year, thanks to Carolina’s continued ineptitude.
The NFL world reacted to the post.
Byard "fell off" from his all-pro status but this as reliable as you'll get from the safety position in the NFL https://t.co/DOatILX34F
— Blake (@SoldierFieldBlg) March 10, 2024
A FS who can *checks notes* tackle! I thought those were a myth https://t.co/0BBa5mv76q
— Ghost of Justin Fields Seafood Boil (@hypertron85) March 10, 2024
Haven’t watched a whole lot of Byard but he’s a veteran presence in a young secondary, relatively cheap and seems like an improvement over what Eddies given them. https://t.co/V1mgXUxVnu
— Casey Quinn (@CQuinn37) March 10, 2024
For half the money too? Easy W signing https://t.co/7TasXlyHSZ
— nick (@nickbaird310) March 10, 2024
Biggest upgrade definitely Byard tackling ability https://t.co/GbDNINgEA2
— Greenest Green (@Dar_Green) March 10, 2024
I love Eddie but damn those tackling numbers were nasty work https://t.co/wwvIsjOs9D
— Dr. J (@CaptainTJ_) March 10, 2024
