Mar 11, 2026, 02:49 PM ET<\/p>\n
Free agent safety Kevin Byard III<\/a> has agreed to sign with the New England Patriots<\/a> on a one-year, $9 million deal, according to NFL Network.<\/p>\n The move reunites Byard with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who was his coach with the Tennessee Titans<\/a> from 2018 to 2023.<\/p>\n Byard, 32, led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2025. It was the second time in his 10-year career that he was the league’s interceptions leader (2017, when he had eight), which earned the safety first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for a third time.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Byard’s impact was felt throughout the Chicago Bears<\/a>‘ secondary where he started 34 games since the Bears signed him to a two-year, $15 million contract as a free agent in 2024. In addition to his seven interceptions last season, Byard had 93 tackles (tied the team-high with 61 solo), eight passes defended and four tackles for loss.<\/p>\n He played nearly 100% of defensive snaps (1,070) in 2025 and has never missed a game since entering the NFL as a third-round pick by the Titans in 2016. Byard has logged 164 consecutive regular-season appearances (with 155 starts) and 10 playoff games.<\/p>\n He has posted at least four interceptions in six of his 10 seasons. His 36 career interceptions rank second among active players behind Minnesota Vikings<\/a> safety Harrison Smith<\/a> (39).<\/p>\n