The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a hyped 2026 season, where they’re looking to build off their impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, which included an NFC North title and a wild-card playoff win. While they found success in 2025, it’s a brand new slate for this Bears team following an offseason of change, including the departures of key veterans and the additions of new veterans and exciting rookies.
The work begins in training camp, where Johnson will put his team through the wringer with the intent to prepare them for the 2026 season. Every day from now right up through training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2026 season. We’ll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to 2026 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.
At No. 11 is safety Coby Bryant, the prized free agent acquisition who was signed away from the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears are betting that Bryant is just starting to play his best ball as he becomes the new leader of a revamped safety group.
Background
Position: Safety
Age: 27
Experience: 5th season
2026 cap hit: $5.96 million
2025 recap
A year after transitioning from cornerback to safety, Bryant continued to show the move was beneficial not only for him but also for the Seahawks. Bryant was a pivotal piece of the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense last season, totaling four interceptions, seven passes defensed, and 66 total tackles (four for loss). His pass defense was the best of his career, as Bryant allowed an opposing passer rating of just 54 with one touchdown in 15 games. That was better than First-Team All-Pro Kevin Byard. Bryant was excellent in the playoffs, totaling 10 tackles and two pass breakups to help Seattle win Super Bowl LX.
Importance in 2026
Bryant’s success made him an intriguing free agent target, and the Bears lured him to Chicago with a three-year deal worth $40 million to reshape their safety room. Bryant’s versatility and ability to play multiple positions were intriguing to the Bears’ front office, and they believe his best football is ahead of him in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system. The front office considers him a “trained killer” with how he plays the game. And playing next to defensive backs such as Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Dillon Thieneman should bring out the best in Bryant. He has big shoes to fill, taking over for Byard, however, who did more than just intercept seven passes last season. Bryant will be counted on as a leader for a defense that was lethal at taking away the ball last season.
Big question: Can Bryant fill the void left by Byard’s departure?
The Bears’ decision to sign Bryant and let Byard leave via free agency makes sense going into 2026. Byard is entering the twilight of his career and despite his success in 2025, it’s a risk to sign him to a multiyear deal. Bryant is far younger and fits what Allen wants to do on defense with disguising defensive backs and moving them all over the place. But Byard’s leadership set him apart, which is something Bryant will have to help fill. And considering the Bears have a prized rookie safety in Thieneman, Bryant’s leadership will be needed even more than usual to help bring him along. There’s no reason to think Bryant can’t excel in this system with the players in the secondary around him, but the pressure will be on to start fast.
30 Most Important Bears of 2026
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2026: Coby Bryant (No. 11)
Reporting by Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Brendan Sugrue and Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
