Coby Bryant is bringing a championship mindset and level of play to the Bears defense at mandatory minicamp
Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant is finally starting to introduce himself to his new teammates both on and off the field during mandatory minicamp.
The Chicago Bears big ticket addition of the offseason was bringing in safety Coby Bryant to replace All-Pro team captain Kevin Byard III in the backend of the secondary and made a strong push to bring him in.
That push, along with the presence of head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, made it an easy decision for the 27-year-old to chose his next landing spot after spending his first four years with the Seattle Seahawks.
While Bryant is still getting to know the majority of his new teammates, Johnson and Williams got an early feel for Bryant’s championship mindset and level of play during Wednesday’s minicamp practice session.
Chicago Bears new safety Coby Bryant is finally standing out in minicamp
During Wednesday’s practice, Bryant jumped a pass intended for wide receiver Jahdae Walker, resulting in his first interception against Williams on the practice field. Something he was dying to pull off before the team departed for the six-week break after this week.
“Just me being me, honestly,” Bryant told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “The guys up-front doing their job and everyone playing together and just me making a play… I had to get him (Caleb Williams) before the offseason started too. So, I feel good about that. I know he didn’t like it.”
That level of play is something the Bears are expecting out of Bryant and he has big shoes to fill considering Byard led the NFL in interceptions in this system last season. Takeaways are paramount for this defense and Bryant is playing with the attacking style the coaches love to see.
First impressions working with first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman
Mandatory minicamp also gave Bryant more opportunities to work alongside first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman, who’s starting to earn more and more reps with the first-team defense. Speaking with the media, Bryant shared some of his first impressions.
“He’s a rookie, so he wants to go full speed in everything,” Bryant said. “In individual drills, we have to tell him to slow down because I’m not running that fast. I’m 27. He’s 21. Just the speed. He’s very coachable, like I said. He’s exciting to watch, man. He makes plays every day. It’s been special.”
The Bears are excited about what Bryant and Thieneman can bring to the table from a versatility standpoint. Dennis Allen has already been sending Thieneman in blitz packages and the speed both players play with has been evident.
“The biggest thing is just taking care of his body,” Bryant said when asked what advice he has for Thieneman. “And being coachable, which he is. He’s very very smart and intelligent. Obviously, the tape speaks for itself as well too. It’s going to be a long year for him… and if he has any questions, I’m always there for him.”
Ben Johnson has been impressed by Bryant’s championship mindset and leadership traits
The biggest thing for Bryant is whether or not he can live up to Byard’s leadership level, who was a two-time team captain during his two years in Chicago. The Bears believe Bryant has those leadership tendencies and his newly acquired Super Bowl ring helps carry more weight with his words and actions.
“He knows what good football and bad football looks like,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said of Bryant. “He just came from a Super Bowl-winning team. I think there is a premium on that experience. It easily resonates with all of the guys in the locker room. I think there’s an instant amount of respect that he’s garnered because of that.”
That championship-level mindset extends to the field as well leading by example. And it’s not just by creating takeaways against QB1 during team drills.
“When you watch him on the practice field, it really comes to life,” Johnson added. “(Dennis Allen) showed a clip to the defense just of him coming out of the post safety position and rallying to the football. It was all over his tape in Seattle. That’s what we’re getting right now and I think that’s contagious.”
At the same time, Bryant isn’t just walking around with his head held high thinking he’s high and mighty because he won a Super Bowl and the majority of his new teammates haven’t. He understands it’s back to square one in the NFL, nothing truly carries over.
“The biggest thing is I tell them, you know, just take it one day at a time, one play at a time, one game at a time,” Bryant said. “I try not to use my past — what I did in Seattle — with these guys. The biggest thing I came here to do is be a leader and, you know, direct these guys and lead these guys and vice versa.”
The early returns of Bryant’s impact have been notable. When the team votes on captains later this offseason, don’t be shocked if Bryant’s name is listed among them.