Kevin Byard - All Pro Pace

[adam]

Byard has been a 1st Team All Pro twice in his career. Thru 6 games, he is on pace to match and/or exceed those numbers this season:

This Season
2025P - 88 Tackles, 11 INT, 14 PD, and 6 TFL

All-Pro Seasons
2017 - 87 Tackles, 8 INT, 16 PD, and 3 TFL
2021 - 88 Tackles, 5 INT, 13 PD, and 1 TFL

Unc is cooking.

[Stinger226]

25 minutes ago, adam said:

Byard has been a 1st Team All Pro twice in his career. Thru 6 games, he is on pace to match and/or exceed those numbers this season:

This Season
2025P - 88 Tackles, 11 INT, 14 PD, and 6 TFL

All-Pro Seasons
2017 - 87 Tackles, 8 INT, 16 PD, and 3 TFL
2021 - 88 Tackles, 5 INT, 13 PD, and 1 TFL

Unc is cooking.

He not only is playing well, but is a team leader. On X I remember people saying after the first few games that he has slowed down because of his age. I'm not sure they say that now. When you judge a player in a short window, you can't properly measure a players worth. Look at the RB position tons of people on X, (we need another RB). That narrative changes now. We have to let this season play out and see the results. If we finish 5-6 we still end up with a winning record. I would say 11 wins are our ceiling. Can we go 7-4 the rest of the year? We will find out Sunday.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

5 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

He not only is playing well, but is a team leader.

There was a video you shared a few days ago that highlighted the defensive production to this point.  What impressed me were the repeated shots of the 'old timers' Edmunds and especially Byard and how well the both of them are doing.  Byard came on strong late last year so he's been consistent not just in this season's window.  He's deserving of the accolades he's been getting for sure.

[adam]

23 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

There was a video you shared a few days ago that highlighted the defensive production to this point.  What impressed me were the repeated shots of the 'old timers' Edmunds and especially Byard and how well the both of them are doing.  Byard came on strong late last year so he's been consistent not just in this season's window.  He's deserving of the accolades he's been getting for sure.

He is also doing it with a banged up secondary. The Bears are starting CB5/6 with Johnson, Stevenson, Gordon, Smith, and Frazier out.

[adam]

Still leads the league in INTs with his 5th (should be 6). He has been holding the secondary together with all the injuries, and he is still making huge plays.

[BearFan PHX]

22 minutes ago, adam said:

Still leads the league in INTs with his 5th (should be 6). He has been holding the secondary together with all the injuries, and he is still making huge plays.

we should extend him, this week would be a good time to do it - especially with Brisker on the chopping block, and the likelihood of a new player, possibly a rookie at the other safety spot next year.

And extend CJGJ too while youre at it. He provides great depth at CB, and I wouldnt be at all shocked if he was our other safety next year.

[adam]

6 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

we should extend him, this week would be a good time to do it - especially with Brisker on the chopping block, and the likelihood of a new player, possibly a rookie at the other safety spot next year.

And extend CJGJ too while youre at it. He provides great depth at CB, and I wouldnt be at all shocked if he was our other safety next year.

Yeah I agree, I wouldn't wait either, but I don't know how common that is during the season to do that.

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, adam said:

Yeah I agree, I wouldn't wait either, but I don't know how common that is during the season to do that.

when players are playing well, they do get extended in the season, we've done it before too but i forget the exact example.

But it tells the team that good play gets rewarded, and it locks him up before free agency if hes amenable.

[adam]

15 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

when players are playing well, they do get extended in the season, we've done it before too but i forget the exact example.

But it tells the team that good play gets rewarded, and it locks him up before free agency if hes amenable.

then I would love that, he is a team leader and playmaker. He never was a speed guy, so the age doesn't bother me at all. Make him retire as a Bear.

[Stinger226]

I remember after the first two games on X people were saying Byard was slowing down and people complaining about his play and our S choices in him and Brisker coming off an injury. Then brought up how we should have drafted one high. People just have to let the season play out when judging players. You cant go by one or two games. Poles will make him an offer after the season and why would he not want to stay on a up and coming team and play for DA. At 31 I dont see anyone offering a big contact to him.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

5 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I remember after the first two games on X people were saying Byard was slowing down and people complaining about his play and our S choices in him and Brisker coming off an injury. Then brought up how we should have drafted one high. People just have to let the season play out when judging players. You cant go by one or two games. Poles will make him an offer after the season and why would he not want to stay on a up and coming team and play for DA. At 31 I dont see anyone offering a big contact to him.

Word.  I've honestly been impressed with how well the 'old men' of the group, he and Edmunds, have been playing this year.  I think what sets Byard apart is because of his tenure in the league he's had time to learn the flow of the game and play smart.  I don't see him trying to lay out people when he goes to tackle them.   That's Brisker's downfall (see Mike Brown and Chris Conte). He's pretty aggressive and sometimes pays the price for it.  Agreed, because of his age not many teams will come calling...unless maybe he makes another Pro Bowl.