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Kevin Byard is not letting the New England Patriots’ secondary settle for being talented. He wants the group hunting the football every single day. That message is already spreading through the room, and the timing could not be better after the Patriots defense turned the Philadelphia Eagles’ joint practice into a turnover-heavy afternoon. Craig Woodson has seen the difference firsthand. The young safety believes Byard’s voice has given the defensive backs a sharper mentality, one built around creating takeaways instead of simply waiting for them to happen. Kevin Byard And New England Patriots Secondary Raise The Turnover Standard Byard challenged the Patriots’ defensive backs earlier in training camp to go out and take the football. That challenge quickly became more than talk. Dell Pettus responded with an interception of Drake Maye, while the Patriots later produced five takeaways during their first joint practice with Philadelphia. Woodson added two interceptions and a sack against the Eagles on Wednesday, while Marcus Jones continued the takeaway party on Thursday. Woodson said Byard’s influence has been impossible to miss. “I don’t know if that’s a coincidence of something that he said and it’s happening, but at the end of the day that’s what we gotta do on defense. Create takeaways… That helps us win games, so we just gotta keep going with that. He has a voice that’s really empowering when it comes to some of the things that he’s able to preach to us as a DB group. Even to the coaches as well. I think that when he speaks, people listen. That’s just something that you don’t get with a lot of players, so it’s good to have that leadership in the room. I think that’s just gonna help us.” #Patriots S Craig Woodson on veteran S Kevin Byard challenging the defense to get more turnovers: “I don’t know if that’s a coincidence of something that he said and it’s happening, but at the end of the day that’s what we gotta do on defense. Create takeaways… That helps us… pic.twitter.com/ml8zuIz4IY — Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) August 21, 2026 That is a significant change for a secondary still developing around young pieces. Byard is entering his 11th NFL season and arrives with three All-Pro selections and a league-leading seven interceptions last season. More importantly, he is bringing a veteran’s understanding of how to manufacture opportunities rather than simply hoping the ball finds him. Byard has challenged younger defensive backs to study QBs, recognize route tendencies, and understand where the football is likely to go before it leaves the passer’s hand. For Woodson, that approach has already changed how he thinks about his own responsibilities. New England’s defense repeatedly jumped routes, pressured Jalen Hurts, and capitalized when Philadelphia made mistakes. It was a continuation of the standard Byard has been preaching. The veteran safety has also pushed back on the idea that turnovers are simply luck. His philosophy is much more aggressive. Preparation creates the opportunity, and defenders have to trust what they see when that opportunity arrives. That could become especially important for the Patriots’ secondary, featuring Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, and Marcus Jones alongside Byard and Woodson. The talent is there. Now the group is being challenged to turn that talent into production. Woodson believes Byard’s leadership can help make that happen. Related reading: Why NFL Expert Doesn’t See Matthew Stafford, Rams Winning NFC West Dallas Cowboys: Lackluster 3rd-Round Pick Is a Likely Trade Candidate Josh Allen’s Connection With Bills Tight Ends Gives Buffalo Major Encouragement Against Browns Jason Kelce Explains How Kirk Cousins’ Presence Could Benefit Rookie Fernando Mendoza