"If New England is trying to ramp up those turnover totals in 2026, bringing in a safety like Byard makes plenty of sense. Byard played a key role in the Bears' absurd plus-22 turnover differential last season - tops in the league and five more than the second-place Texans. The veteran led the NFL with seven interceptions on the season, serving as a thorn in the side of opposing QBs throughout the fall."
"He was more than just a turnover machine last season, closing out the year with 93 combined tackles (61 solo), eight pass deflections, and four tackles for a loss. His seven picks were also far from an outlier. He has 36 total interceptions over his 10 seasons in the NFL - also leading the league in interceptions (eight) during the 2017 season in Tennessee."
"The Patriots' defense was an impressive unit during the 2025 season, ranking fourth in the league with just 18.8 points allowed per game. They were also just one of 13 NFL teams that had a positive turnover differential this past year - but only at plus-3 on the season."
The New England Patriots signed veteran safety Kevin Byard to a one-year, $9 million contract. Byard, 32, recently earned Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro honors with the Chicago Bears in 2025. He led the NFL with seven interceptions last season and recorded 93 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and four tackles for loss. Over his 10-year career, Byard has accumulated 36 total interceptions, including eight in 2017. The Patriots' defense ranked fourth in points allowed but struggled with turnovers at plus-3. Byard's addition addresses this weakness, as he played a crucial role in the Bears' league-leading plus-22 turnover differential. He brings veteran leadership and proven ball-hawking skills to New England's secondary.
Read at Boston.com
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