Kevin Byard Didn't Hold Back On Thoughts Of His Future With Bears

The Chicago Bears face uncertainty at safety beyond the 2025 season. Jaquan Brisker has looked like a great player since being drafted in 2022. The problem is he hasn't been able to stay on the field during much of that time. He's yet to play a full season for the Bears, and missed 12 games last year with persistent concussion problems. People worry about his playing style and whether his body can hold up to the inevitable pounding it will take as a result. Then there is Kevin Byard.

While he may not be the All-Pro star he was a few years ago, the veteran showed last season he is still a capable starter with 130 tackles, two sacks, and an interception. His leadership was evident from the moment he joined the team. Like Brisker, he has one more year on his current contract. He is set to turn 32 years old, and nobody knows what the future holds for him. Byard was asked about it recently. He made it clear he deeply desires to stay in Chicago and turn the team around. However, he's also not naive about his situation.

"Like I said, for me personally, I would love to be here. I've loved being here over the last year and going forward. This thing is year-to-year and honestly, it's probably going to be year-to-year for the rest of my career until I'm done playing. Regardless of whatever kind of contract I signed, this is always going to be year-to-year."

Kevin Byard can remain a solid presence if he's open to yearly deals.

Many veterans don't want to accept that. They often look for contracts that give them two or three years of cushion, providing some career stability. Such things are rare for players in their 30s unless they're top-tier stars. To this credit, Kevin Byard recognizes this. He watched it happen with guys like Johnathan Joseph and Jack Crawford. There are no guarantees after a certain age in this league. You must prove yourself every single year. If you're unwilling to accept that challenge, teams will be content finding help elsewhere. Byard doesn't seem discouraged by the idea of going year-to-year. He's already made tons of money. It is about staying in the league for as long as he can. Helping to return Chicago to football prominence would be a tremendous feather in his cap.