With Matt Eberflus’ official announcement that an agreement had been reached to sign this monster of a player, the Bears team and fans celebrated enthusiastically.
The Chicago Bears have apparently already begun talks with a recently released player to replace Eddie Jackson, even though NFL free agency is scheduled to begin next week.
Eddie Jackson, a safety, was a vital component of the Bears’ defense not too long ago, and it appeared like he would be a mainstay of their lineup for a decade or more. The 30-year-old hasn’t been able to reach the heights of 2018 and 2019, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl consecutively, over the last four seasons.
Related: Saquon Barkley is one of five NFL free agent targets for the Chicago Bears.
Jackson’s inclusion in two cuts last week that freed up over $21 million in cap space for 2024 was therefore not shocking. It was assumed that the team would try to sign him when NFL free agency begins on March 11. It appears like the team may have Jackson’s replacement even sooner, though.
Kevin Byard numbers for 2023: 1 interception, 3 passes defended, and 122 tackles
Chicago BearsJay Biggerstaff of USA TODAY Sports is credited.
“The Bears hosted FA S Kevin Byard on a visit yesterday,” NFL Media league source Ian Rapoport said early on Saturday. Before being traded to the Eagles last season, the former All-Pro spent his entire career with the Titans.
Byard was a two-time All-Pro for the Titans over his seven-year tenure. Nevertheless, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the NFL trade deadline in October because the team was having a poor season. Sadly, he didn’t give the team the performance they were hoping for in his brief stay in Philadelphia, and the Eagles cut him last week.
Still, Byard recorded a career-high 122 tackles in the previous season and has five times in his career caught four or more interceptions, including eight in 2017.
