The Chicago Bears will have a new starting safety duo in veteran free-agent addition Coby Bryant and first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman, who should help elevate the secondary following the departures of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason.
The Bears landed one of free agency’s prized safeties in Bryant, who is fresh off a Super Bowl championship with the Seattle Seahawks and brings speed and ballhawking ability to the secondary. Meanwhile, Chicago landed one of the biggest steals of the draft in Thieneman at 25th overall, and he brings elite instincts and playmaking ability that should serve as a nice complement to Bryant.
The new safety duo will be part of a Bears secondary looking to improve alongside a cornerback group that’s coming off some injuries. For cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, he certainly sees the benefit of having those safeties behind him. Stevenson shared his initial impression of Bryant and Thieneman, where it’s clear they’re bringing speed to the defensive backfield.
“They’re fast,” Stevenson said. “Coby knows ball pretty much. We’ll just be talking since my locker is right next to his, and just to hear him talk about ball and we can articulate it the same is just giving me confidence in knowing that I got him behind me.”
All eyes are on the Bears defense following a rough season where, despite leading the NFL in takeaways (33) and interceptions (23), they struggled to rush the passer (totaling just 35 sacks) and stop the run (allowing 131.4 yards per game). While there’s no denying the defensive line needs to step up this season, there’s no denying that there are some big-time playmakers like Bryant and Thieneman in the secondary ready to make something happen.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman are bringing speed to Bears secondary
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
