Bears star safety Kevin Byard to sign with Patriots: report

Bears safety Kevin Byard, one of their best players the last two seasons, is leaving in free agency to join the Patriots. He agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal Wednesday, NFL Network reported.

Byard has often credited Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, who coached him with the Titans, as a strong influence on his career.

Byard, 32, was a rock for the Bears, and general manager Ryan Poles said at the end of the season he hoped to re-sign him. He played every game for them over two seasons, and last season was an All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection with an NFL-best seven interceptions.

“There’s going to be effort on both sides to try to get something done, but who knows?” Byard told the Sun-Times last month. “Poles and [coach] Ben Johnson have got a lot of decisions to make on a lot of guys on the team, so we’ll see who’s the top priority.  I would hope that I am [back], but you just never know.”

The Bears seemed to move on this week by agreeing to sign former Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million deal. All moves can become official Thursday at 3 p.m.

Byard outperformed his two-year, $15 million contract with the Bears by delivering 223 tackles, eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He also was a team captain.

The Bears’ other starting safety from last season, Jaquan Brisker, remains unsigned in free agency.