Bears Pro Bowl safety has failed season in new prediction: ‘Aging, overpriced’

The Chicago Bears defense is looking tough during preseason, but it could have one weak link.

Chicago’s secondary is headlined by Jaylen Johnson, a Pro Bowler in 2023 who looks poised to be even better this year. Johnson is an elite corner who’s been locking up every receiver in sight this preseason, including his own teammate Keenan Allen during training camp. Allen, a six-time Pro Bowler himself, has revealed that he still doesn’t have a catch against Johnson at Halas Hall this summer.

Johnson will have to continue to dominate, especially since the Bears secondary will be receiving a disappointing season from safety Kevin Byard III, at least according to a new report from Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox.

Knox believes that Byard, 31, was an overpay for Chicago because he’s past his prime.

“The Chicago Bears made plenty of good decisions this offseason in addition to snagging Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick,” Knox said. “However, releasing veteran safety Eddie Jackson only to sign another aging, overpriced defensive back in Kevin Byard probably wasn't one of them.”

“Byard is a seasoned defender who can help give the upstart Bears another leader on defense. He's a two-time Pro Bowler with 121 starts and can still rack up tackles in bunches—he had two in limited action in Chicago's second preseason game.”

“However, Byard … has provided diminishing returns as a coverage safety. To secure Byard, Chicago shelled out a two-year, $15 million contract … The Bears are expecting Byard to be a dependable starter, they're paying him accordingly, and it's not difficult to envision them being disappointed by midseason.”

Will Byard prove the doubters wrong and turn in a successful year? Chicago certainly hopes so.

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