Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest this month.
Rookies and quarterbacks are set to report to Halas Hall on July 25 with veterans following on July 28. But before that, we’re unveiling our Bears 2026 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.
Rounding out the defense is the safety position, which has seen much change since the Bears’ last game back in January. Three of the top four players have been replaced both by a prized free agent signing (Coby Bryant) and a top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft (Dillon Thieneman) as the team looks to get more versatile. Let’s take a look at the Bears’ safeties going into training camp:
Coby Bryant
The Bears’ big acquisition of the 2026 offseason was landing former Seattle Seahawks safety and reigning Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant. The two sides agreed to a three-year deal worth $40 million, officially giving the Bears a new leader at the safety position as they said goodbye to Kevin Byard in free agency. Bryant is a former cornerback who made the move to safety a couple of years ago and enjoyed plenty of success. Last year, Bryant picked off four passes, broke up seven, and forced a fumble in the regular season. He also allowed an opposing passer rating of 54, the best of his career. At just 27 years old, Bryant is in the prime of his career and gives Chicago a versatile player to use all over the defense.
Dillon Thieneman
Safety was a priority for the Bears both in free agency and the NFL Draft. On Day 1 of the draft, things fell right into place, and Chicago had the fortune of selecting Dillon Thieneman with pick No. 25. The Oregon standout was considered one of the top defensive backs on the board and fell right into the Bears’ lap to pair with Bryant. Thieneman, like Bryant, has incredible instincts with the ability to play multiple spots on the field. Last year at Oregon, Thieneman notched 96 tackles, a sack, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. He will eventually be the starter next to Bryant, which could come sooner rather than later. But we know head coach Ben Johnson likes to play it safe when it comes to giving rookies ample playing time early on. We’ll see what his involvement looks like throughout camp.
Cam Lewis
Versatility is the common theme for the new Bears safety room, which helped lead them to Cam Lewis in free agency. Lewis signed a two-year deal after a solid career with the Buffalo Bills. He was primarily a backup safety and nickel cornerback but saw a handful of starts nearly every season since coming into the league. Lewis totaled 43 tackles (one for loss), two forced fumbles, and four pass breakups last season. While he’s set to serve as a backup, Lewis may see more opportunities than people realize. There’s a scenario in which Lewis is the starting safety opposite Bryant initially before Thieneman takes hold of the job, and there could be an opportunity to play more nickel cornerback if Kyler Gordon isn’t healthy.
Elijah Hicks
The lone returning safety from the 2025 season is Elijah Hicks, who re-signed with the Bears on a one-year deal during free agency. While Hicks has nearly a full season worth of starts under his belt since coming into the league in 2022 as a seventh-round pick, he mostly contributes on special teams. Last year, Hicks didn’t start a single game and played just 62 snaps on defense. He totaled 19 tackles in 2025 but fills a role as a solid depth piece who can fill in as a starter if needed. Chances are, though, his playing time will be on special teams.
Gervarrius Owens
The top four safeties appear to be set, which means the rest of the group will need to scratch and claw their way in training camp to try and earn a roster spot, beginning with veteran Gervarrius Owens. Signed to the practice squad in 2025, Owens has appeared in five total games since coming into the league as a seventh-round pick in 2023 with the New York Giants. It would be a surprise to see him make the final roster.
Anthony Johnson Jr.
The Bears brought in Anthony Johnson Jr. midway through their organized team activities (OTAs) in May to add depth to the secondary. Johnson, like Owens, was a 2023 seventh-round pick and was selected by the Green Bay Packers. He has more game experience than Owens, however, appearing in 21 games with 29 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception. Johnson missed the entire 2025 season with an injury, however, and is out to prove he’s back to normal with a chance to catch on with the Bears.
Skyler Thomas
Skyler Thomas was signed by the Bears as an undrafted free agent earlier this spring following the 2026 NFL Draft. He was an entrenched starter for Oregon State in each of the last two seasons, producing 78 total tackles and one pick in 2025. Thomas’ long frame is intriguing when it comes to covering bigger receivers and tight ends, and he could be someone who stands out in camp if he can match up against the likes of Colston Loveland and Sam Roush.
Big question: How long will it take for Bryant and Thieneman to jell?
Building chemistry in the NFL is vital to any team’s success, but it takes time to build. With the Bears introducing two new starters in a brand new scheme, it’s not fair to expect Bryant and Thieneman to fully jell and play off one another seamlessly immediately. Training camp will be a vital period for both players to get comfortable with not only one another but also the system implemented by defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. And that’s if Thieneman even starts right away, which may not happen. These two safeties have similar traits and should be a dynamic duo at some point during the year. We may just have to experience a few bumps along the way while they work through their chemistry.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2026 training camp preview: A new safety tandem
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brendan Sugrue, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
