Bears GM Ryan Poles’ high praise erased all doubt that two players are top priorities entering the 2026 offseason
The Chicago Bears aren’t letting these two All-Pro players go anywhere.
The Chicago Bears kicked off the 2026 offseason with a ton of major decisions coming up for this front office and the coaching staff under general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson.
On Wednesday, the team’s two leaders met with the media at Halas Hall to recap the 2025-26 season and set expectations for the upcoming offseason and the 2026-27 season.
First off, changes are to be expected. That includes the front office, coaching staff, and the roster itself. Things will look slightly different in 2026, but after what Poles said, there’s a strong chance we see two players as top priorities over the next few months.
Ryan Poles had high praise for two players who should be offseason priorities
Priority No. 1: Re-sign veteran safety Kevin Byard
The Bears’ first priority has to be working on a deal with veteran All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. The 32-year-old played out the 10th year of his NFL career on an expiring contract, a season in which he led the NFL in interceptions while earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition.
Byard has previously made his stance on his future clear. He wants to stay in Chicago and continue his career with the Bears. After such a strong season, Byard’s price has obviously gone up, but the Bears still feel strongly about the player.
“I think Kevin’s a special player,” Poles said on Wednesday. “I have no problem saying that’s a player we would like to have back. But again, when you add the other safeties into that mix and all of the other decisions that we have across the roster, it’ll be a challenge. But, that’s part of what we do.”
The Bears will have some tough decisions to make at the position with four safeties, including Byard, as pending free agents. Former second-round pick Jaquan Brisker plays a role in that as well after playing the best season of his young career and is in line for a big payday this offseason.
But, in Byard’s case, it should be an easy decision for Chicago because of the person, player, and leader that he has been — and continues to be — for this organization.
“I want to be able to play at a higher level and all that good stuff,” Byard said. “What motivates me and what drives that is to want to win and try to be the best person, to be the best player, leader, teammate that I could possibly be for this organization — or any organization.”
Priority No. 2: Start extension talks with RT Darnell Wright
The second priority is locking down right tackle Darnell Wright. The team’s 2023 first-round pick still has one year remaining on his rookie contract, plus the fifth-year option for 2027 that the Bears can choose to pick up this offseason. The Bears could also start talks on an early extension.
In his third year, Wright showed significant growth and gave the team plenty of confidence that an early extension is worth it in the long run and certainly deserved.
“It was steady through the season,” Poles said of Wright’s growth. “I think that’s one thing we challenged was the consistency part. But when he strings it together, it’s really, really good, and it’s going to help us win football games. I love watching him come off the ball and move people. And when he has this confidence and belief in himself that he’s the best on the field, I think he can be one of the best to do it. He just has to show up and continue to put that work in and get there.”
Wright is coming off easily the best season of his career and proved what many in the organization believed by earning second-team All-Pro honors. Not to mention, he did all of that while dealing with a torn UCL in his elbow. He gave it all for this organization and made it clear how he feels about his future in Chicago.
“I would love to be on this team for my whole career, for sure,” Wright said on Monday. “That would be great.”
Chicago Bears News
Bears HC Ben Johnson is already sending a strong message to the entire locker room with early expectations for 2026
The Chicago Bears understand what’s to be expected going forward.
