Bears 2026 Offseason: Safety Needs, Free Agents & Draft Targets

The Chicago Bears face a critical offseason as they attempt to build on a surprising 2025 campaign that saw them claim the NFC North title, their first division championship since 2018. However, key roster decisions loom, particularly at the safety position, where both starters are set to hit free agency.

As the new league year approaches on March 11th and the NFL Draft slated for April 23rd, General Manager Ryan Poles is tasked with navigating a salary cap situation that currently shows the team $4.11 million over the limit. According to reports, the focus will be on improving the defense, a unit that played a significant role in the team’s success but now faces uncertainty with several key players potentially departing.

The most pressing concern is the safety position. Both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are scheduled to become free agents, leaving the Bears with no safeties currently under contract. This creates one of the team’s biggest needs heading into the offseason.

Byard, in his 10th NFL season, enjoyed a standout year, leading the league with seven interceptions and playing a crucial role in a defense that also led the NFL in takeaways with 33. He was named First-Team All-Pro and earned a Pro Bowl nod, proving to be a perfect fit in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme. Brisker, meanwhile, played a full 17-game season for the first time in his career, saving his best performance for a divisional playoff loss.

Beyond the starting duo, the Bears are also facing potential departures of depth players Elijah Hicks and Jonathan Owens, both of whom contributed on special teams. While re-signing one or both is a possibility, the team is expected to explore options in both free agency and the draft to bolster the safety room.

The Bears will explore veteran options in free agency, though one potential target, Kameron Curl, recently signed an extension with the Los Angeles Rams. Other potential free agent additions include Bryan Cook, Reed Blankenship, Cobny Bryant, Jalen Thompson, and Nick Cross, alongside the possibility of re-signing Byard or Brisker.

Despite the free agency options, the team is likely to target a safety in the 2026 NFL Draft, aiming to pair a rookie with a veteran starter – whether that’s a returning Byard or Brisker, or a newly acquired free agent. Chicago will be picking at No. 25 in the first round, a later slot than they’ve been accustomed to in recent years after three consecutive top-10 picks.

Head coach Ben Johnson, in his second season, will be looking to continue the offensive progress seen in 2025, led by quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. However, addressing the defensive needs, particularly at safety, will be paramount to sustaining the team’s success and making another push for the postseason.

The situation at safety underscores the broader challenges facing the Bears as they attempt to transition from a rebuilding phase to a consistent contender. Successfully navigating free agency and the draft will be crucial to solidifying the defense and building a roster capable of competing at the highest level.