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By Logan Brown
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The New England Patriots have been busy during the early stages of NFL free agency, primarily acquiring new pieces to support young star quarterback Drake Maye. Now, the Patriots are hoping to create more turnovers with a key addition to the secondary.
The Patriots agreed with Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard on a one-year, $9 million contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Byard, who will be 33 years old when the 2026 season begins, is notorious for his ballhawking abilities. Since becoming a third-round pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2016, Byard has led the NFL with 36 interceptions. He has twice led the league with the most interceptions in a single season, including this past season when he nabbed seven takeaways with the Bears.
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Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is very familiar with Byard as well. The duo spent six seasons together in Tennessee before Byard was traded to the Eagles in 2023 and Vrabel was fired after that same season.
Byard is coming off his third Pro Bowl and third first-team All-Pro season. In addition to his seven interceptions, Byard made 93 tackles, four for a loss, and eight pass deflections.
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The Bears have now lost a pair of important defenders from last season’s secondary. Cornerback Nahshon Wright, who had five interceptions with the Bears in 2025, agreed to a deal with the Jets. Jaquan Brisker, who starred at safety for the Bears opposite Byard, remains unsigned.
For a player with an incredible amount of turnover production, Byard comes at a bit of a bargain for the Patriots. He’ll join the Super Bowl runner-ups and pair with Pro Bowl corner Christian Gonzalez to secure the back end of the defense. It’s a huge upgrade for the Patriots as they try to hold off the Bills in the division race again next season.
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