Free agent security Kevin Byard III has agreed to signal with the New England Patriots on a one-year, $9 million deal, in keeping with NFL Network.
The transfer reunites Byard with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who was his coach with the Tennessee Titans from 2018 to 2023.
Byard, 32, led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2025. It was the second time in his 10-year profession when he was the league’s interceptions chief (2017, when he had eight), which earned the security first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for a 3rd time.
Byard’s affect was felt all through the Chicago Bears‘ secondary the place he began 34 video games over two seasons for the reason that Bears signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract as a free agent in 2024. In addition to his seven interceptions final season, Byard had 93 tackles (tied the team-high with 61 solo), eight passes defended and 4 tackles for loss.
He performed almost 100% of defensive snaps (1,070) in 2025 and has by no means missed a recreation since coming into the NFL as a third-round decide by the Tennessee Titans in 2016. Byard has logged 164 consecutive regular-season appearances (with 155 begins) and 10 playoff video games.
He has posted a minimum of 4 interceptions in six of his 10 seasons. His 36 profession interceptions rank second amongst lively gamers behind Minnesota Vikings security Harrison Smith (39).
He spent the primary eight years of his profession with the Titans earlier than he was traded midseason to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
Byard was a group captain in back-to-back seasons in Chicago.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin contributed to this report.
