Safety Coby Bryant is leaving the Super Bowl champion Seahawks for the Bears, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Chicago is handing Bryant a three-year, $40MM contract, per veteran insider Jordan Schultz.
The NFC North-winning Bears deployed Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard as their top safeties last season, but both are free agents after playing almost every defensive snap in 2025. Effective in-season acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson is also without a deal. The uncertainty surrounding those three left safety as an obvious area to address for general manager Ryan Poles. He has done it in adding PFR’s 28th-ranked free agent.
During their resurgent 2025, the Bears led the NFL in both takeaways (33) and interceptions (23). The 32-year-old Byard picked off seven passes en route to first-team All-Pro honors. Bryant’s numbers were not as gaudy, but the 26-year-old had a big season in his own right. Across 15 games (all starts), the former slot corner logged 66 tackles, seven passes defensed, four TFL and a career-best four INTs. He chipped in another 10 tackles and two PDs during the Seahawks’ three victories in the playoffs.
Bryant, who has combined for seven picks since 2024, ranked 27th among Pro Football Focus’ 91 qualifying safeties last season. He graded among the top 30 safeties in both coverage and run defense. Despite a penchant for taking the ball away, the Bears ranked 22nd against the pass and 27th versus the run. Bryant helped the Seahawks to third and 10th in those respective categories.
Although Bryant is a noteworthy loss for Seattle, the team is still in good shape at safety. Julian Love, Ty Okada and Nick Emmanwori are all more than capable of handling the position. However, Bryant may not be the first major defensive back the club loses. Cornerbacks Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen remain unsigned two hours after the negotiating window opened.
Nice. Let’s go!
Great pickup
Someone sell me on this move. I know PFF grades aren’t the end-all-be-all, but it’s not looking great at first glance. Coverage grade in particular is scary.
He’s a versatile safety that can play either position… which will allow Dennis Allen to use more exotic coverages. Plus, he’s still very young so he won’t crash out after a year. Byard will be 33 next season and is simply too risky of a long term deal.
It’s not like his coverage grade is bad and he’s a very good run defender. And considering Minkah just got more money than this while three years older, it doesn’t seem like outrageous money.
They needed somebody. So they signed a DT, A S and re signed Jackson. They need more in the draft but at least we can have some depth now. No way Wright is coming back now unless he takes a big price drop. Thanks for the nice year but it looks like Byard might be gone too without some major renegotiations.
I mean, I like the guy and they needed to bolster the safety position. But they really need to bolster the middle of that D-line. The run defense was flat out bad last season. Now if he did this signing AND added John Franklin – Myers, I’d be all in. I’d even draft Peter Woods at 25.
I’m sure they’ll address DT. Free agency has only been going for a few hours. Still plenty of options out there.
Word is when Ben got the news he took his shirt off and screamed good, better, Black Mamba.
swing and a miss
You’re wrong, I’m a bears fan living in Seattle. Coby can play both safety positions and cornerback. He is way faster and aggressive than any safety on the roster. Trust me. Outstanding pick up
I think he means the joke was a swing and a miss.
Really solid pickup by the Bears. I’ve always loved Bryant, and he’s seemed to thrive since moving to safety.
This is a good deal for the Bears.