Byard to Pats - 1yr 9M

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Sounded like he had an offer from Bears and Pats - ended up choosing to reunite with Vrabel.  Wish him the best. Was hoping we'd keep him. Fact we were still talking to him tells me we may still add a vet safety yet.  I still think a 1yr deal with Brisker could make some sense. Maybe give him some upside with incentives and allow him to hit the market again next year.  

[CrackerDog]

This one hurts.  I think we'll miss him.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

On 3/11/2026 at 4:13 PM, CrackerDog said:

This one hurts.  I think we'll miss him.

Wanted him back to help get the next wave of young safeties up to speed.  The Bears will be investing in one with day one or two picks. 

[DABEARSDABOMB]

It’s interesting- whole secondary is almost gone except for the 3 guys who were injured most of the year (JJ and Kyler) and all of the year (Smith) plus Stevenson.  Other than that entirely new spots all over the- especially safety, with exception of Smith. 
 

All of guys Bears lost signed 1 year deals. Clearly there was a major change the franchise wanted to make and a huge focus seems to be on speed. 
 

One of our starting safeties appears to be a rookie via draft and we also appear to have another need still via draft for DB. 
 

Similarly expect the same on dline - where we will use a pick or two early (at least one). 

[AZ54]

On 3/11/2026 at 2:13 PM, CrackerDog said:

This one hurts.  I think we'll miss him.

He’s a good player but it was clear last year that he’s lost a step.  I thought he’d be the perfect mentor for a rookie safety but Poles was able to find an upgrade and I’m glad he did.   Coby has just 2 years experience at safety and is likely to have a sidekick rookie who has more years experience in the role than he does.  Then again Coby offers a versatility in coverages that we never had with Byard, nor Brisker, because he can come down into the slot and cover.  A few of the top safety prospects offer somewhat similar versatility.  If we can get one of them then Dennis Allen will have his full playsheet of mix-and-match coverages at his disposal.  We would not have had as much of that with Byard who is now mostly just a good fit in zone coverages.   

Not mentioned nor missed (IMO) is CJGJ who the Bears weren’t even interested in re-signing.  I’m actually surprised the Bills signed him so early in FA and for up to $6mil this year.  I don’t know what they watch in their film study but it does’t bode well for their future.  

[Stinger226]

I think they had an offer for Byard and went after Bryant that can play both positions, when Byard didn't sign right away, saw Bryant get more money he went to NE.

As for letting some people go, we have to remember how bad we were and understand they are rebuilding the D by DAs standards.

[Stinger226]

I don't think they will go into the season expecting a rookie S to start unless they grab one in the first 2 rounds and get another vet S to temporarily fill that spot. I mentioned in another post, maybe that's Terrell Smith.

[Mongo3451]

5 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I don't think they will go into the season expecting a rookie S to start unless they grab one in the first 2 rounds and get another vet S to temporarily fill that spot. I mentioned in another post, maybe that's Terrell Smith.

I believe it will be.  I mentioned him being a safety the day he was drafted.  It would be cool to be right about it...

[DABEARSDABOMB]

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

I believe it will be.  I mentioned him being a safety the day he was drafted.  It would be cool to be right about it...

I think we will see them draft a safety with one of first 3 picks. Seems very clear and this is a very good safety draft.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

I think we will see them draft a safety with one of first 3 picks. Seems very clear and this is a very good safety draft.

Have to get a long term solution, so I see them drafting early as well.  Rumors of Gordon, Stevenson, and Smith moving are just that.  

 

[DABEARSDABOMB]

7 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Have to get a long term solution, so I see them drafting early as well.  Rumors of Gordon, Stevenson, and Smith moving are just that.  

 

Agree - they aren’t going to move safety. Only one even an option would be Stevenson but even that I don’t expect and I don’t think they would hand him a starting gig. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

57 minutes ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Agree - they aren’t going to move safety. Only one even an option would be Stevenson but even that I don’t expect and I don’t think they would hand him a starting gig. 

I hope the light turns on for Stevenson. Al Harris had him attend offseason camp last year.  Send him back again, the guy has ability but lacks the instinct to shut down. He has one more year to make it or be a one year deal elsewhere.