Coby Bryant Signs With Chicago Bears: Super Bowl Champion Safety Gets Three-Year, $40M Deal
The Chicago Bears made one of the most impactful early moves of 2026 NFL free agency on Monday, March 9, landing Super Bowl champion safety Coby Bryant on a three-year, $40 million deal. The former Seattle Seahawks starter fills a critical void in a Bears secondary that entered the offseason with all four of its safeties hitting the open market simultaneously.
Coby Bryant Bears Contract: Three Years, $40 Million Confirmed
Sources confirmed the Bears and standout safety Coby Bryant agreed to a three-year, $40 million deal. Bryant recorded seven interceptions over the last two seasons and started 34 games during his time with Seattle, amassing seven forced fumbles and 17 passes defensed across his Seahawks career.
Bryant can play both free safety and strong safety, giving Chicago's new coaching staff lineup versatility at the position. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 27th-best safety out of 91 candidates last season and 22nd-best the year prior.
Bryant is named after former Lakers great Kobe Bryant and wears his No. 8 jersey. He is just 26 years old, meaning the Bears are getting a rising starter in the prime of his career rather than a veteran stopgap.
Why the Chicago Bears Desperately Needed Coby Bryant
The Bears entered the offseason with a dire need at safety, having their top four players — starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker and backups Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks — all coming off contract. It is unusual for a team to lose its entire safety room in a single offseason.
Safety was listed as a high-priority need heading into the Bears' free agency period. With Caleb Williams entering a critical second season under center, the defensive secondary needed to be rebuilt quickly and with quality starters rather than depth pieces.
Coby Bryant had a ton of interest around the league, and Seattle wanted him back. But the Bears made a huge offer the Seahawks ultimately could not match.
What Happens to Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard Now
It remains unclear whether Bryant's addition precludes the Bears from bringing back Byard, a team captain last season. Both sides had expressed optimism earlier this offseason about getting a deal done. It would be unusual for Chicago to devote major free-agent contracts to both starting safety positions in the same offseason.
Byard said he wanted to return to Chicago but was clear he would take family circumstances into consideration, with his wife and kids spending half the year in Nashville. He said he wants to go somewhere where he can win.
At this point, it appears the Bears will look to draft a safety to pair alongside Bryant during the 2026 NFL Draft rather than spending additional free-agent dollars at the position.
Chicago Bears Free Agency: More Moves Alongside Coby Bryant Signing
The Bears also agreed to sign former Colts defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to a two-year, $12 million deal, adding interior defensive line depth alongside Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter. Gallimore played all 17 games for Indianapolis last season including eight starts.
Linebacker D'Marco Jackson is returning to Chicago on a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth up to $10.5 million. The Bears also previously re-signed special teams ace Daniel Hardy to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million.
On the loss side, wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus departed for the Atlanta Falcons, while edge rusher Jaelan Phillips signed with the Carolina Panthers, ending any chance of him landing in Chicago. The Bears also missed out on Maxx Crosby, who agreed to join the Baltimore Ravens.
The Coby Bryant signing signals that the Chicago Bears are moving quickly and aggressively as head coach Ben Johnson builds a roster capable of competing for the NFC North title in 2026.
