The Chicago Bears are undergoing an overhaul at the safety position. Gone are 2025 starters Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker. Instead, former Seahawks safety and Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant was brought in to fill a major role in the Bears secondary.
Despite forcing a bunch of turnovers last season, Chicago ranked near the bottom of the league in many major defensive statistical categories. Bryant was brought in, at least in part, to offer more stability back there and a higher baseline level of play.
Bears HC Ben Johnson called Bryant a “trained killer” back when the safety first signed with Chicago. Bryant was asked about that at a press conference on Monday.
“He kinda told me that when we first talked, when I first got here,” Bryant said with a smile. “I’m extremely grateful to have that name behind [me]. You know, I just have to put it to work and go out there and do what I do.”
Chicago Bears S Coby Bryant on His Unique Traits on Defense
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 21: Coby Bryant #8 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates a tackle of Rashid Shaheed #22 of the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at Lumen Field on September 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“Honestly, just being me, you know?” Bryant said on what his “it” factor is. “I feel like since I first started playing football, people just gravitate towards me. I don’t know what it is, honestly. I’m blessed. But just to be that leader, that role model for guys as well, too. And just lead by the right way.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s any pressure, I just feel, like I said, it’s a blessing just to have that role,” Bryant said on the trust the Bears’ coaching staff is placing in him to take over at safety. “And it’s year five for me, I’m not a young guy anymore. That’s the role I was already taking, honestly, the investment standpoint doesn’t apply to that. But just being who I am, being that leader.”
“I embrace it. I’m that type of guy, honestly,” Bryant said on mentoring a rookie safety if the Bears draft one in the coming days. “I’ve done it last year [in Seattle] with Nick Emmanwori. And when I was a rookie, Quandre Diggs did it [for] me. So it’s not my first time doing it. I embrace it, honestly, just building that relationship early is definitely a good thing.”
Bears S Coby Bryant on His Role with the Team
“I’ve been familiar with him since I first got into the league,” Bryant said on Bears DC Dennis Allen. “He has the right mindset. He wants to be aggressive, wants the takeaways, etc. Kinda the things that I do well.”
“No preference at all. I just want to play football, honestly,” Bryant said on what his preferred role on defense is. “Like I said, wherever they need me to play, I can do it all. And that’s not to be cocky or anything, that’s just being humble and just embracing that role.”
“It told me a lot,” Bryant said on what it meant that Bears QB Caleb Williams was one of the first to reach out when he signed with Chicago. “It told me the leader he is at such a young age. That’s very rare. You know, I’ve been in the league for five years and I’ve never experienced anything like that, as far as having that relationship with the quarterback so early. Like I said earlier, he’s scratching the surface, he’s a great guy. Met him today. This guy’s unlimited, for sure.”
New Bears Safety Coby Bryant Reacts to Ben Johnson’s 2-Word Description of Him