The Chicago Bears have some important decisions to make regarding the roster this offseason, including filling some big holes at key positions. That starts with free agency next month, where there are some notable players who will hit the open market at positions of need, including safety.
All four safeties on the Bears roster last season are slated to hit free agency next month, including starters Jaquan Brisker and All-Pro Kevin Byard. So Chicago is going to need to turn to multiple avenues to fill those starting jobs and depth roles. While the 2026 NFL Draft could produce a new Year 1 starter, there are also some options worth exploring in free agency.
ESPN’s Matt Bowen shared his best team fits for the top 50 free agents, and he believes free-agent safety Kamren Curl (ranked 41st) would be a great fit for the Bears. Curl, a former seventh-round pick, spent the previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
“Both of Chicago’s starting safeties (Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III) are free agents, opening up some spots,” wrote Bowen. “In coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, Curl can play as an interchangeable safety and improve the Bears’ run defense. And don’t be surprised if the team brings back Byard to join him, too.”
General manager Ryan Poles has indicated that one priority this offseason will be to re-sign Byard, who had an All Pro year with a league-best seven interceptions in 2025. If Chicago wants to focus on the defensive trenches in the first rounds of the draft, before selecting a safety on Days 2 or 3, pairing a solid veteran like Curl with Byard would be a good fit for Dennis Allen’s defense.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears dubbed best fit for a top free-agent safety
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
