The Chicago Bears made significant moves in the offseason, but their season is beginning to unravel.
As they look ahead to next year, the team might consider parting ways with players who haven’t met expectations.
Among those, FanSided’s Cristopher Kline suggested the Bears should move on from Kevin Byard, noting that the veteran safety is “clearly past his prime.” Kline acknowledged that Byard’s performance hasn’t been terrible but argued it falls short of the standard he once set. “At 31, it’s evident he’s on the decline—a liability Chicago’s patchwork secondary can’t afford,” Kline wrote.
Byard entered Week 12 with 71 tackles and just one interception, followed by another underwhelming performance.
A two-time All-Pro, Byard was once considered among the league’s elite safeties, but his recent form tells a different story.
The Bears signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract during the offseason, but his play this year has raised concerns about his future with the team.
“Byard’s deal runs through next season, but Chicago should explore alternatives—or, at the very least, add depth around him if his decline continues,” Kline said. “While we’ve seen what Byard can do at his peak, those moments have been rare this season.”
At 31, Byard is coming off a season with one interception in 16 starts between the Eagles and Titans, which further fuels doubts about his ability to contribute at a high level moving forward.
