The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they’re looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson’s second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
The Bears didn’t make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.
Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.
Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Next up is safety, a position where the Bears lost two starting veterans in Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, while signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant from the Seattle Seahawks, but they still lack depth.
Who’s on the roster?
The Bears only have three safeties on their roster right now, including just one starter in Coby Bryant, who signed in free agency, which makes this is a pressing need. Bryant, who converted from cornerback to safety with the Seattle Seahawks just a couple of seasons ago, played a key role in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run. He totaled 66 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble. Now, Bryant is going to get an opportunity to show his ballhawk prowess in Dennis Allen’s defense.
Elijah Hicks played well when called upon, and he deserves more opportunity at playing time going into the 2026 season, but to imagine him starting next to Bryant could be a stretch right now. Bryant will be the veteran leader at the safety position and more than likely, Chicago will have him working with a highly touted rookie alongside him in the starting lineup.
Who departed this offseason?
The Bears lost both starting safeties in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason, and even after signing Coby Bryant in free agency, there’s a big need at the position. Byard had one of the best seasons of his career 10 years in, and he proved to be a perfect fit in Dennis Allen’s defense. He led the NFL in interceptions (7) while leading a defense that also led the league in takeaways (33). Byard, a team captain, played a key role in a bend-don’t-break secondary that was hampered by injuries. He was named First-Team All-Pro while also earning a Pro Bowl nod.
Meanwhile, Brisker is coming off one of his better seasons with the team in the final year of his rookie deal. Brisker played a full 17-game season for the first time in his NFL career, and he saved his best game for last in a divisional playoff loss to the Rams. He did struggle in coverage, unlike Byard, but Brisker wasn’t able to shine amid injuries in the secondary. Both Byard and Brisker departed for AFC teams on one-year deals this offseason. Jonathan Owens also contributed when given the opportunity, showing what secondary coach Al Harris and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen can do with their options.
Positional need: High
In life, they say safety first, and for the Bears front office, that should be their mantra going into draft week. Signing Coby Bryant was a major move to get younger at the position, bringing in a player who has championship experience and someone who fits their system. Chicago should be expected to address the safety position in the first round, or the early second round, seeing how they have two picks in that round. Several mock drafts have the Bears tied with Dillon Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and it shouldn’t take long for them to come off the board.
Top draft prospects
The Bears cannot waste any time addressing the safety position, if either Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are available at their pick in the first round, the Bears must draft one of them. Dennis Allen and general manager Ryan Poles made it clear they wanted to find players who fit their system, and the most frequent name attached to them is McNeil-Warren. He’s a versatile player at the position who can play with toughness and violence, while also having a knack to find the football as a playmaker.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL Draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at safety
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
