Byard’s consistency and dependability are rarities in the NFL, yet unsurprising when given the type of players he idolized while growing up. His “Holy Trinity” of safeties in the modern era consists of Brian Dawkins, Troy Polamalu and, at the top, Ed Reed.
Both Reed and Polamalu played 12 NFL seasons and appeared in 174 and 158 games, respectively, while Dawkins spent 16 years in the league, totaling 224 games played. The tenacity and intensity with which all three safeties competed, along with their knack for taking the ball away, impressed Byard at a young age and provided a blueprint of the caliber of player he has strived to be.
“Ed Reed is my all-time favorite safety,” Byard said. “I mean, his ability to be a ball hawk, the energy level that he brought every single week, I watched his film when I was in college, I still watch his film now. He was a special talent.”
While Byard always possessed the playmaking abilities of a locker room leader, the two-time Bears captain didn’t grow into a vocal leader until 2019.
Heading into his fourth season after signing his contract extension in Tennessee, Byard remembers asking veteran defensive tackle Jurrell Casey if he could break down the huddle a few times. The following year, he took over the role alongside DT Jeffrey Simmons.
“I always felt like, to be able to be a great leader, you had to be a great follower first,” Byard shared. “I just had great examples early in my career to watch in Tennessee and understand how it is to lead, and sometimes when you’re called to be in that position, sometimes you’ve gotta go take it over. I just take a lot of pride in being able to motivate the guys, inspire the guys, but also do it with my play on the field as well.”
Byard now delivers pregame speeches for the Bears before each game and provides constant support to teammates in-game or throughout the week of preparation, elevating his status as a quintessential team captain.
“He’s incredible,” coach Ben Johnson said Dec. 2. “I had a lot of respect for him from afar prior to coming into the building and it’s nothing but grown from there. He’s done a tremendous job taking care of his own business first and foremost.
“He’s playing at a really high level on that back end, picking up a new scheme. And he is really leading the charge, not just for the defense, for the entire team. I lean into him heavily for just feeling the pulse for the locker room. He knows what winning looks like, and so his voice really carries a lot of weight for everybody in the building.”