The Chicago Bears remade their safety room this offseason, headlined in free agency by their signing of Coby Bryant from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.
Bryant will, in all likelihood, join 2026 first-round pick Dillon Thieneman in a starting lineup the Bears hope provides more down-to-down consistency for their defense. The unit allowed the fourth-most yards during the regular season, overcoming that with supreme turnover luck.
Bryant spoke candidly about the Bears, Seahawks, and the 2026 season in a recent sitdown ahead of OTAs.
Coby Bryant Talks Bears, Seahawks & Super Bowl Win
Bears’ Coby Bryant Opens Up Before OTAs
Bryant joined NFL Network hosts Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero for a segment on Tuesday, and the Bears’ new free safety rehashed much of what he told reporters locally about his departure from Seattle and signing with Chicago in free agency.
He said he is “blessed” to be with the Bears, noting that he has been welcomed with open arms and that a call with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen helped him make his final decision.
Bryant also said there has not been much discussion about a specific role.
However, the former fourth-round draft pick (2022) has the “utmost confidence” that the coaching staff will put him and the rest of the players in the best position to succeed when they are on the field.
Bryant also discussed Thieneman, whom the Bears took 25th overall after letting both of their 2025 starting safeties–Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard–walk in free agency this offseason.
“He’s a great player,” Bryant said on “The Insiders” on May 26. “But right now, he’s a rookie. So, he’s not really saying too much, which is a good and a bad thing, too. But I’m excited to be able to play with him, and I know he’s going to help his team tremendously, and we look forward to playing together, for sure.”
Bryant also had strong thoughts about Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
“Just an elite competitor, honestly. Great leader,” Bryant said of Williams. “It spoke volumes, just him reaching out to me when I signed. And him just paying his respect and vice versa, man. The sky’s the limit. He has a bright future.”
Bryant added that he is “definitely looking forward to competing against that man, playing with him as well, too.”
“I’ve seen glimpses. I didn’t watch the whole game because … I was too busy celebrating and recovering my body just from this long year. But [I just remember] that we were so excited to be out there. We had a ton of preparation, a ton of great guys, and obviously coached by Mike [MacDonald], and what he’s done for that organization as well, too. And just very well prepared, and like I said, it was exciting to be out there with those guys,” Bryant said.
“Obviously, ton of respect for those guys. They’re still my brothers. It didn’t work out the right way as far as me going to a new team. But just, honestly, like I said, they’re great players, great coaches over there as well, too. Starting with John [Schneider], GM, and everyone. So, they’ll be in good hands as well, too, still.”
Bryant and the Bears will visit his former team in Week 8 on “Monday Night Football.”
“Brothers compete. So, that’s what I know we’re going to do,” Bryant said of the matchup, noting that it will not be “weird” to face off against his former teammates. I know they’re going to be talking junk to me and vice versa.
“At the end of the day, it’s all love. And I definitely look forward to going back there and getting the [Super Bowl] ring.”
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