New addition named most overrated Bears player

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles moved swiftly to replace veteran safety Eddie Jackson, who was released from his contract earlier this offseason. Poles ensured a successor was in place by signing Kevin Byard to a two-year, $15 million contract. Byard himself had been released by the Philadelphia Eagles approximately one week before joining the Bears.

The Bears took a risk by signing Byard. Pro Football Network recently compiled a list of the most overrated players on every NFL roster. Unsurprisingly, they chose Byard for the Bears.

"The Chicago Bears made a bold choice on defense, relying on Kevin Byard III as a starting safety in 2024," Anthony DiBona wrote. "Byard was acquired via trade by the Philadelphia Eagles last season and failed to live up to expectations, given his career accolades. The 30-year-old safety looked a step slow at times and didn’t showcase the instincts that he often showed with the Tennessee Titans," PFN concluded.

Poles' decision to sign Byard to a multi-year contract became more questionable as the offseason progressed forward. Despite signing Byard so quickly, the safety market has developed slowly elsewhere. Playmakers such as Justin Simmons, Jamal Adams, and Quandre Diggs remain available roughly four months after Chicago made their decision at safety.

Byard's annual average salary of $7.5 million ranks 15th among all safeties in the league, according to Spotrac. He's earning more per season than several safeties who signed elsewhere, including 25-year-old breakout Geno Stone, who got $7 million per year from the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bears are counting on Byard to recapture the form that once made him a Pro Bowler for the Titans.