What Happened to Kevin Leon Byard III?
Kevin Byard is an American professional football safety who has played for the Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, and Chicago Bears. A two-time First-Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection, Byard led the NFL in interceptions twice during his career. As of March 2026, he is an impending unrestricted free agent, having just completed an All-Pro season with the Chicago Bears, and has expressed a desire to re-sign with the team.
Quick Answer
Kevin Byard is currently an unrestricted free agent in the NFL as of March 9, 2026, after completing a highly successful 2025 season with the Chicago Bears where he led the league in interceptions and earned First-Team All-Pro honors. He was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2023, then released by the Eagles in March 2024 before signing with the Bears. Byard has publicly stated his preference to remain with the Chicago Bears for the upcoming season.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Drafted by Tennessee Titans
Kevin Byard was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (64th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
First All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection
In his second NFL season, Byard earned his first First-Team All-Pro honor and Pro Bowl selection, co-leading the NFL with 8 interceptions and leading the league in takeaways with 10.
Signs Contract Extension with Titans
Byard signed a five-year, $70.5 million contract extension with the Tennessee Titans.
Second All-Pro and Pro Bowl Selection
Byard was named First-Team All-Pro and selected to his second Pro Bowl, leading the Titans in both interceptions and tackles.
Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
The Tennessee Titans traded Kevin Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for safety Terrell Edmunds and two 2024 NFL Draft picks (fifth and sixth-round selections).
Plays 10 Games for Eagles
Byard played 10 games for the Philadelphia Eagles after the trade, recording 75 tackles and one interception.
Released by Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles released Kevin Byard, a move that saved the team over $13 million in cap space.
Signs with Chicago Bears
Kevin Byard signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Bears.
Leads Bears in Tackles
In his first season with the Bears, Byard started all 17 games, leading the team with 130 tackles, along with two sacks and one interception.
NFL Interceptions Leader, Third All-Pro & Pro Bowl
Byard had an outstanding season, leading the NFL with seven interceptions and earning his third First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. The Bears won the NFC North.
Expresses Desire to Stay with Bears
Following his stellar 2025 season, Byard stated that his 'first choice' is to remain with the Chicago Bears as he approaches free agency.
Impending Unrestricted Free Agent
As of today, Kevin Byard is an unrestricted free agent, with ongoing discussions and predictions regarding his potential re-signing with the Chicago Bears.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kevin Byard III, born August 17, 1993, has established himself as one of the NFL's premier safeties over his career. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (64th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Middle Tennessee State University, where he set a school record with 19 career interceptions.
Byard quickly became a cornerstone of the Titans' defense. In his second NFL season in 2017, he earned his first First-Team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl nod after co-leading the NFL with eight interceptions and leading the league in takeaways with 10. He continued his high level of play, signing a five-year, $70.5 million contract extension with the Titans in July 2019. He earned another First-Team All-Pro selection and Pro Bowl appearance in 2021, leading the Titans in both interceptions and tackles for the second consecutive year.
In a significant mid-season move, Byard was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles on October 23, 2023. The Eagles acquired him in exchange for safety Terrell Edmunds and two 2024 NFL Draft picks (fifth and sixth-round selections), aiming to bolster their secondary. Byard played 10 games for the Eagles, recording 75 tackles and one interception, which notably came against Patrick Mahomes. However, his tenure in Philadelphia was short-lived, as the Eagles released him on March 1, 2024, saving over $13 million in cap space.
Following his release, Byard signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Bears in the spring of 2024. He immediately made an impact, starting all 17 games in the 2024 season, leading the team with 130 tackles, and adding two sacks and an interception. The 2025 season proved to be a resurgent and elite year for Byard. He started all 17 games, led the entire NFL with seven interceptions, and was named a First-Team All-Pro for the third time in his career, as well as making his third Pro Bowl. The Bears finished the 2025 season atop the NFC North with an 11-6 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the #2 seed.
As of March 9, 2026, Kevin Byard is an unrestricted free agent. Despite turning 33 before the start of the 2026 season, his exceptional 2025 performance has made him a highly coveted player. Byard has expressed that his 'first choice' is to remain with the Chicago Bears, and there is mutual interest from the team. The recent increase in the NFL's salary cap for 2026 has provided the Bears with more flexibility to potentially re-sign him, with contract predictions ranging from $9-12 million per year.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kevin Leon Byard III made different choices?