What do the Chicago Bears do with Kevin Byard III this offseason?

The Chicago Bears came into the season hoping for the best, just like any team does. With a rookie head coach, a second-year QB, a new defensive coordinator, and one of the toughest divisions in football, it certainly wasn't a guarantee they'd find success. 

We'll find success, they have. The Bears sit at 10-4 and lead the NFC North going into Week 16. While foreign to Chicago's fans, this is a team with legitimate title hopes, and everyone knows that even in the modern era, defense still wins championships. 

The Bears seemingly have the defense to accomplish that task. 

More: Bears defense has brutal message for Shedeur Sanders: "Stay in a rookie's place"

The Chicago defense leads the NFL in total turnovers, largely due to their league-leading 21 interceptions (five more than 2nd place).

Multiple people deserve credit for this impressive feat. DB coach Al Harris has been stellar, CB Nahshon Wright has stepped up big in his role, and amassed five interceptions himself (T-2nd in NFL), and LB Tremaine Edmunds has pitched in four (T-3rd in NFL). 

The leader not just of this secondary, but in individual INTs in the NFL (6), is 32-year-old Kevin Byard III. 

He's extension eligible this offseason, and the question is, what should the Bears do with him? 

Do you extend a 32-year-old Kevin Byard if you're Chicago?

In ESPN's latest power rankings, they attached each team's most important extension candidate along with the team's ranking. 

The Bears came in 10th, and they selected Kevin Byard III as the team's most impactful extension decision. Let's break down why. 

There are two schools of thought with Byard III.

On one hand, he's a 32-year-old safety; how much longer can he remain this impactful? On the other hand, he leads the entire NFL in interceptions and looks as good as ever.

ESPN’s latest NFL Power Rankings leave Bears fans with questions after Week 15 https://t.co/3Zm0VT9tVO

Ben Johnson on Byard III said, "He's playing at a really high level on that back end picking up a new scheme, and he's really leading the charge, not just for the defense, but for the entire team."

That doesn't sound like a guy you let walk. The veteran defensive back has also never missed a game due to injury. 

If I'm the Chicago Bears' front office, I do everything I can to sign Byard to an extension to lock up not just a good player but also continuity on this defense. 

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