The Chicago Bears received their complete 2024 regular season schedule on Wednesday evening. We know they'll open the impending campaign at home against the Tennessee Titans. New Bears safety Kevin Byard is particularly looking forward to the matchup after previously playing for the Titans. Byard took to social media with a public reaction to the news.
Week 1 👀
— Kevin Byard (@KevinByard) May 15, 2024
Byard played seven-and-a-half seasons with the Titans after they made him the 64th overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Byard 627 tackles, 66 passes defensed, and 27 interceptions for 333 yards and one touchdown in Tennessee. He qualified for two Pro Bowls and made two First-Team All-Pro appearances, and is generally considered an all-time Titans great.
The rebuilding Titans traded Byard to the Philadelphia Eagles midway through the 2023 season. Byard notably did not thank current Titans general manager Ran Carthon in his goodbye post to the Titans. Carthon was the GM who traded Byard to the Eagles.
The Eagles viewed Byard as a midseason rental, and released him from his contract in March. Approximately one week later, Byard signed a two-year contract worth $14 million with the Bears. The former Middle Tennessee State standout who was snubbed from the NFL Combine will start at safety in the defensive backfield opposite Jaquan Brisker.
As familiar as Byard is with the Titans organization, they'll be unfounded territory for him. The Titans have a new head coach and offensive identity in Brian Callahan. Derrick Henry is no longer present, and Byard was only teammates with their quarterback Will Levis and WR1 DeAndre Hopkins for a brief period.
Byard is looking forward to a classic #RevengeGame nonetheless.
