Looking ahead to the Patriots' 2026 schedule, it's apparent they're in for a rougher ride than last season, with most of their upcoming opponents being playoff-caliber teams. That's the unfortunate reality of being a winning team, especially one that won their division and ultimately represented the conference in the Super Bowl.
Because of that, they'll be hoping to have any sort of edge over their tougher opponents, with a few teams in the NFC that stand out most.
That doesn't mean their competition in the AFC is any easier, but recent comments from cornerback Marcus Jones make it clear that the Patriots have an unexpected advantage going into a few of those matchups, particularly the Bears, who are expected to be at the top of their division this fall.
And how might they have that edge? According to Jones, the addition of seasoned safety Kevin Byard III provides a lot of intel on those opponents, given his recent history playing for both teams.
Kevin Byard's veteran football knowledge will be even more valuable to the Patriots this season than we thought
With so many big-time games on this year's schedule, including a Thursday Night showdown in Chicago in Week 7, the Patriots are going to need all the help they can get to defeat some of their toughest opponents.
The Bears are near the top of the list, with Caleb Williams entering Year 3, just like Drake Maye, and an impressive second-year head coach, Ben Johnson, looking to build on last year and go even further.
It's presumably the primary reason the NFL decided to feature their matchup in primetime, and fortunately for the Patriots, they can pick Byard's brain about what to expect from the Bears ahead of time.
Because he spent two years with the team, including one year under Johnson, Byard's intel is fresh and will be more accurate than it would have been if he had played there years ago. He can provide some insight while game planning, and maybe even give them the edge they need to leave Soldier Field with a much-needed victory.
Both teams have already shown they will be the real deal for years to come, but they have also made some dramatic changes to their rosters this offseason, so how they will fare against each other isn't as clear right now.
However, from what we saw in 2025, it's apparent that the Bears aren't a team to overlook, and the Patriots will need to prepare for them accordingly, which now includes getting as much information from Byard as possible to work in their favor.
Will it ultimately help them get the win? Who knows. But it doesn't hurt to try, especially if Byard is willing to give up what he knows. It's a tradition like no other in the NFL, so the Bears will be expecting it, of course, and hopefully, it allows the Patriots to reap the reward.
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