Coby Bryant is closing in on his first big decision after joining the Bears but one new teammate is holding things up in a way
Coby Bryant is deciding between two different numbers with a fitting meaning behind it.
The Chicago Bears’ first real splash of free agency came by signing former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant last week and it’s been well documented how bad the Bears wanted this guy.
Chicago allowed Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker to walk out of the door in free agency and made up for one of those losses in quick fashion by signing the 2025 Super Bowl champ, who brings a faster play style, is only 26-years-old and still growing at the position.
It was a perfect opportunity for Bryant, after playing out his rookie contract in Seattle, to play with a team where he was wanted and with a similar staff that could bring out the best in his game.
The big question now, at least among the fans, is what jersey number he decides to rock in Chicago. In Seattle, Bryant wore the number eight in honor of Kobe Bryant, a number that is already taken in Chicago by veteran kicker Cairo Santos.
Coby Bryant is trying to get the No. 8 off Cairo Santos but another number makes perfect sense
“I got some things cooking up, but I’m definitely reached out to him and asked him about the number eight,” Bryant said to Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show. “He was very cool about it, so we’re trying to come to an agreement pretty soon. I don’t have a set number yet, I don’t want to speak too soon, but definitely have two options.”
The other option Bryant is considering is the number 24, the second number Kobe wore during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. If Bryant can’t pull the number eight from Santos, 24 is a solid pivot to turn to. Usually with these kind of situations, the players agree on some kind of trade or payment to exchange jersey numbers.
It’s worth mentioning that Santos wore various different numbers throughout his NFL career, including the number two during his first stint in Chicago, the number that just opened up after the trade of former wide receiver DJ Moore. Maybe Santos goes back to his old Chicago roots for 2026?
If not, Bryant can continue to follow in Kobe’s footsteps. For those that don’t know, the story behind Kobe’s number change is significant and he ended up becoming the only player in league history to have two jersey numbers retired with the same team.
“When I first came in at 8, is really trying to ‘plant your flag’ sort of thing. I got to prove that I belong here in this league. I’ve got to prove that I’m one of the best in this league. You’re going after them. It’s nonstop energy and aggressiveness and stuff,” Kobe explained back in 2017. “Then 24 is a growth from that. Physical attributes aren’t there the way they used to be, but the maturity level is greater. Marriage, kids. Start having a broader perspective being one of the older guys on the team now, as opposed to being the youngest. Things evolve.”
In a way, Bryant’s NFL career is about to evolve. With a Super Bowl ring now in his possession, Bryant has shown he belongs in this league. Coming to Chicago is a new opportunity for him to grow into something more as a leader and take his game to the next level. If Santos is against giving the number eight up, it’d only be fitting to see Bryant make the switch to 24.
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