ESPN free agent rankings gives Chicago some good news in their chances of re-signing one of their top defensive players
ESPN doesn’t seem to be very high on Kevin Byard’s free agency market.
Free agency is coming up quick for the NFL and the Chicago Bears will be a team to watch over the next few weeks to try and get over the hump as a Super Bowl contender going into Year 2 of the Ben Johnson Era.
After making some big splashes via trades and early signings last year, the Bears are expected to be a lot more hesitant in making big moves this time around. The big thing will be determining which players to bring back, and which players to let go, from the 2025-26 roster.
The position to watch early in free agency is the safety position considering the Bears have every safety from last season’s team set to hit the market, including All-Pro veteran Kevin Byard.
“I think Kevin’s a special player,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said during his end of season press conference. “I have no problem saying that’s a player we would like to have back. But again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all of the other decisions that we have across the roster, it’ll be a challenge. But, that’s part of what we do.”
The priority of re-signing Byard couldn’t be more clear and the Bears just got good news in their chances of keeping him in Chicago.
Kevin Byard not listed in ESPN’s Top-5o free agent rankings
ESPN released the rankings for the Top-50 free agents on Wednesday and the list did not include Byard, a sign people might not be viewing his market very high this offseason despite coming off an All-Pro campaign in which he led the NFL in interceptions.
Byard was fourth on the list of five players that missed the cut. It’s an oversight not to include Byard but there are serious age concerns following the veteran into free agency. Byard just finished his 10th season in the NFL and will be 33-year-old at the start of the 2026 season.
While age is a concern, Byard’s play continues to be at the top of the game. There’s mutual interest to keep building in Chicago but everything is fluid going into the new league year.
“I want to be able to play at a higher level and all that good stuff,” Byard said, “But what motivates me and what drives that is to want to win and try to be the best person, to be the best player, leader, teammate that I could possibly be for this organization — or any organization.”
If the market’s truly not as fruitful for Byard, it’ll just make things that much easier to bring him back and continue chasing a championship to bring back to Chicago.
Two other Bears defensive backs, however, were listed in ESPN’s Top-50 rankings
Even though Byard didn’t make the cut, two other Bears defensive backs did in cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Jaquan Brisker, both players coming off a successful season.
Wright was named as a Pro Bowl alternate selection earlier this week and will join three fellow teammates in San Francisco later this weekend. One of the biggest success stories in the NFL, Wright made the most of his opportunity on a one-year deal with the Bears starting 18 games (including playoffs) while leading his position with five interceptions and leading the league in takeaways. ESPN listed Wright as the No. 37 ranked free agent and he should have a solid market.
Brisker is coming off his fourth and final season of his rookie contract and played all 19 games (including playoffs) after missing 12 games in 2024 due to a concussion. Brisker’s final game against the Los Angeles Rams in the divisional round set a strong message after totaling a team-high 14 tackles with one sack and two pass deflections. ESPN believes Brisker will have a strong market and be priced out of Chicago’s range while being listed as the No. 44 free agent.
It’s entirely likely the Bears lose both Wright and Brisker in free agency. The team’s cornerback position is still in a solid spot to make up for the loss of Wright, losing Brisker would be more of a concern that the Bears would have to prioritize this offseason.
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