Kevin Byard

Kevin Byard is an active American professional football safety for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL).

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Kevin Leon Byard III was born on August 17, 1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The highly instinctive safety stands 180 cm tall, and plays at a listed weight of 99 kg.

He attended Martin Luther King Jr. High School in Lithonia, Georgia, where he excelled as a standout track athlete and defensive back. Committing to Middle Tennessee State University, Byard played for the Blue Raiders from 2011 to 2015.

He was an absolute turnover machine in college, recording 19 interceptions and repeatedly finding the end zone on defensive returns. He secured back-to-back First-team All-C-USA honors in 2014 and 2015, finishing his career as one of the most decorated defensive players in school history, eventually leading to the retirement of his No. 20 jersey.

Professional Career

Byard was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the third round (64th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

After securing a starting role during his rookie campaign, Byard exploded onto the national scene in 2017. He co-led the NFL in interceptions with eight and tallied 10 total takeaways, earning his first career Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors.

Over his seven-and-a-half seasons in Tennessee, he operated as the undisputed "Mayor of Murfreesboro," anchoring the Titans' defense under head coach Mike Vrabel. He remained a model of exceptional consistency and durability, earning another First-team All-Pro nod in 2021.

In October 2023, the Titans traded Byard to his hometown Philadelphia Eagles, where he finished out the season. Seeking a new opportunity in 2024, he signed a two-year contract with the Chicago Bears.

Byard enjoyed a spectacular resurgence in Chicago. During the 2025 campaign, he once again led the entire NFL in interceptions (seven), earning his third First-team All-Pro selection and helping guide the Bears to a deep playoff run.

In March 2026, Byard entered the next phase of his career by signing a one-year, $9 million contract with the New England Patriots. The move reunited him with his former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, who had recently taken the helm in New England, giving the Patriots a seasoned veteran to anchor their secondary for the 2026 season.

Career Highlights

• 3× First-team All-Pro Selection – 2017, 2021, 2025
• 3× Pro Bowl Selection – 2017, 2021, 2025
• 2× NFL Interceptions Leader – Led the league in picks in 2017 (8) and 2025 (7)