Grading the signing: Chicago’s newest safety has All Pro potential but will it worth moving on from the one the Bears already had
The Chicago Bears paid big money to bring in Coby Bryant in free agency.
The Chicago Bears made their first free agent splash with the expectation that the team will sign Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million deal, a signing that puts the writing on the wall for the Bears to move on from All Pro Kevin Byard III.
It’s bittersweetness for the Bears’ locker room but it’s a move that immediately can make the secondary better. Bryant is 26-years-old and coming off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks, his best football is still ahead. It’s clear the Bears felt better paying a tad more for a younger playmaker.
Coby Bryant is going to have to bring an All Pro impact to Chicago and he has the skills to do so
Moving on from Byard isn’t the best move in my eyes, saying he’s actually gone. He’s coming off the best season of his career and was one of the top respected leaders in the locker room, you normally don’t want to move on from those kind of guys. Yet, Byard’s age was a legitimate concern and with Bryant the Bears can reset the clock at the position with a high-upside player.
Bryant started his career as a nickel defender in Seattle but moved to free safety under head coach Mike MacDonald in a three-safety scheme with Nick Emmanwori and Julian Love. While he found a nice spot for himself in that role, his potential was limited in that room.
In Chicago, he can now be the top dog at the position. His experience at nickel and at free safety gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a versatile weapon to work with as well. He’s a rare player that has some centerfield coverage ability but can also fly in and bring the boom. His reaction speed is ridiculous and that alone gives the Bears an upgrade over Byard, who relied on baiting the QB.
In coverage, Bryant is coming off the best season of his career. He allowed the second-lowest passer rating among safeties in 2025 with four interceptions, according to Next Gen Stats. Playing in the role that allowed Byard to lead the NFL with seven interceptions in 2025, Bryant should see his coverage abilities take off once defensive backs coach Al Harris starts working with him.
There’s a lot to love in Bryant’s game. It sucks potentially losing Byard and his leadership, but the Bears are getting a much more exciting player to work with deep in the secondary.
Grade: B+
Chicago Bears News
Grading the signing: Bears make a veteran defender their first free agent signing and it shows how the team feels about the 2026 NFL Draft class
The Chicago Bears are expected to strike quick on an interior defensive lineman.
