The Chicago Bears had an active offseason, hiring new coordinators, revamping their offense with the 2024 NFL draft and free agency, and extending star cornerback Jaylon Johnson's contract for four more years.
Bears fans have reasons to be excited about general manager Ryan Poles' efforts to strengthen the roster, setting high expectations for head coach Matt Eberflus to achieve an above .500 record and a potential playoff berth.
However, not everyone approved of the Bears' offseason decisions. Alex Kay from Bleacher Report recently highlighted some of the NFL's worst offseason moves, with the Bears topping the list for overpaying veteran safety Kevin Byard. Byard, who played for the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles last season, struggled during his brief stint with the Eagles in 2023. Despite this, the Bears signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract.
Kay noted Byard's performance issues: "The 30-year-old Byard is a two-time first-team All-Pro, but he struggled mightily during his recent stint with the Philadelphia Eagles. According to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia, Byard allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a 103.3 passer rating (which ranked 66th out of 92 safeties who played at least 200 snaps in 2023) and complete 75 percent of their throws (ranking 77th) during his short tenure in Philly."
Byard's struggles against the pass were evident last season, although the entire Eagles' defense faced challenges under the guidance of Sean Desai and Matt Patricia. While there's hope that Byard, despite turning 31, can still perform well, the outlook is uncertain. He replaces Eddie Jackson, who was released by the Bears in February, freeing up $12.56 million in cap space.
