Coby Bryant welcomes leadership role in Chicago as Bears plan to pair him with another top-tier safety in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears first splash in free agency came when the team decided to make a strong push for former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, who’s eager to step into a larger role with his new team.
Coby Bryant was the Chicago Bears’ top free agent signing of the offseason when the team signed him away from the Seattle Seahawks on three-year, $40 million contract. It was a major investment and the first sign that Chicago planned to rebuild the defense.
Head coach Ben Johnson referred to Bryant as a “trained killer” a phrase that embodies the kind of players the Bears are looking to add more of to this roster.
“There’s speed, there’s a level of aggression, there’s mental toughness,” general manager Ryan Poles said of Bryant. “The guy plays the game the right way and with the right mentality, with a little violence to it. As we continue to collect more guys and guys can elevate to play that style of football, the better off we’ll be.”
Bryant’s impact in Chicago goes beyond his physicality on the field. After parting ways with All-Pro safety and two-time team captain Kevin Byard III, the Bears left a massive leadership hole in the locker room and it’s going to be big shoes for Bryant to fill.
Coby Bryant is already embracing his leadership role with the Chicago Bears
After spending four seasons in Seattle, Bryant is eager to spread his wings as a veteran and is ready to take on a much more significant role as a leader in Chicago.
“I wouldn’t say it’s any pressure,” Bryant explained. “I just feel like it’s a blessing just to have that role. It’s Year 5 for me, I’m not a young guy anymore. That’s the role I was already taking in, honestly. Just being who I am and being that leader.”
Given his contract and the aggressiveness the Bears had in targeting him, it’s clear the staff has high hopes for what Bryant can add to the roster and it won’t take long for Bryant to prove why the investment was worth it.
“The biggest thing right now is I just need to lead by example,” Bryant said. “I feel like the guys need to see my work ethic, which is nothing new, honestly. I’ve always been that guy, lead by example first and then be more vocal. And then, once they see the work ethic and me making plays, etc., then they’ll start to gravitate towards it.”
Bears expected to add a top rookie safety to pair alongside Coby Bryant in 2026 NFL Draft
Later this week, the Chicago Bears are widely expected to select another top safety in the 2026 NFL Draft to add to the secondary alongside Bryant after also allowing Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Jonathan Owens to walk out of the door in free agency.
The position is in dire need of a starting-caliber player and Chicago will have multiple options to consider throughout the draft including Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Treydan Stukes, Keionte Scott, Jalen Kilgore and other potential targets.
For Bryant, he has recent experience working alongside a top-drafted rookie and helped form a formidable secondary in Seattle that went on to win a Super Bowl during the 2025 season. Having that immediate connection is important and another big reason why the Bears targeted a player like Bryant.
“I embrace it,” Bryant added. “I’m that type of guy, honestly. I’ve done it last year with Nick Emmanwori and when I was a rookie Quandre Diggs did it to me. It’s not my first time doing it. I embrace it, just honestly building that relationship early. It’s definitely a good thing.”
As for his role in the secondary, Bryant’s versatility as a deep safety or box safety allows the Bears to stay open heading into the draft in search of another starter.
“No preference at all, I just want to play football,” Bryant said. “Wherever they need me to play, I’m willing to do. I can do it all and that’s not to say it cocky or anything. Just being humble and just embracing that role.”
