The Chicago Bears have officially decided to part ways with Jaquan Brisker at safety, opting instead to sign Super Bowl winner Coby Bryant from the Seattle Seahawks. This move was confirmed by NFL insider Tom Pelissero as the Bears pursued Bryant on a free agent deal. Originally drafted in the fourth round by Seattle in 2022, Bryant’s proven ability makes him the latest addition to Chicago’s defense.
Coby Bryant’s Impact and Previous Season Performance
During the previous season, Bryant played a significant role for the Seahawks, the reigning Super Bowl champions, contributing 66 tackles, seven pass deflections, four tackles for loss, and a career-best four interceptions across 15 games. His defensive efforts extended into the playoffs where he added 10 tackles and two pass breakups, underscoring his consistency and playmaking skills in critical moments.
Addressing Coverage Issues and Future Team Plans
The Bears struggled with coverage last season, particularly with Brisker’s inconsistency in the secondary. Although Kevin Byard posted a league-leading seven interceptions and earned All-Pro recognition, the defense as a whole showed weaknesses that Bryant’s signing aims to fix. His ball-hawking ability presents Chicago with hope for stabilizing the safety position and improving pass defense.
Moving forward, the Bears are focused on keeping Byard alongside Bryant, as general manager Ryan Poles has expressed a desire to retain Byard via a new contract. Securing both safeties is seen as crucial to bolstering Chicago’s secondary.
Bears’ Defensive Moves Signal Commitment to Improvement
Alongside Bryant’s signing, Chicago’s free agency has included acquiring defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and re-signing defensive end Daniel Hardy and linebacker D’Marco Jackson within the last day. These decisions highlight the Bears’ emphasis on reinforcing their defense after a difficult season. Although there is more work ahead, the current additions create a foundation for defensive growth.
By replacing Brisker with a seasoned Super Bowl champion like Bryant, the Bears take a significant step toward addressing the defensive concerns that have lingered, aiming to avoid past mistakes and improve their secondary going forward.
The Bears are signing safety Coby Bryant, per sources. pic.twitter.com/zTUGLfx0ZT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
