Kevin Byard Credits Bears’ Tough Training Camp for 2025 Turnaround Before Patriots Move
Veteran safety Kevin Byard has agreed to a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, departing the Chicago Bears after two seasons, according to multiple reports. The move reunites Byard with his former Tennessee Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel, now at the helm of the Patriots.
Byard’s departure follows a 2025 season that saw a significant turnaround for the Bears, a resurgence he attributes in part to the demanding training camp implemented by head coach Ben Johnson. “Out of my ten years being in the NFL, (it was) the hardest training camp I’ve ever had,” Byard recently told NFL insider Jordan Schultz. “I wasn’t expecting that from him, he’s an offensive guy, everything’s kind of smooth, he was riling guys up. This is the black and blue division, this is the NFC North. I think it was fun in the point of guys coming in the locker room after practice like ‘What just happened?’ even players saying ‘KB you got to go talk to him’. When you gaze back at it, it was so worth it. I think how the season went, I think we needed that tough training camp. I think anytime you’re trying to go somewhere you’ve never been, you have to do something you’ve never done, and I think that was his mentality.”
The Bears endured a challenging 2024 season, finishing with a 10-game losing streak and ultimately leading to the firing of head coach Matt Eberflus. Byard remained a professional presence during the difficult period, and his leadership was credited as a key factor in the team’s improvement in 2025. He led the NFL with seven interceptions during the 2025 campaign, a significant increase from his previous career high.
Byard initially joined the Bears in 2024 after eight seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He spent a brief period with the Philadelphia Eagles before landing in Chicago. Throughout his career, Byard has been recognized as one of the league’s top safeties, earning three First-team All-Pro selections (2017, 2021, 2025) and three Pro Bowl invitations (2017, 2021, 2025). He similarly twice led the NFL in interceptions, in 2017 and again in 2025.
The Patriots, under Vrabel, are looking to rebuild after a period of decline. Byard, 32, brings a wealth of experience and playmaking ability to a secondary in require of both. His arrival marks a significant addition as the Patriots begin preparations for the 2026 season.