The Chicago Bears are set to have significant turnover at the safety position entering the 2026 offseason, and some think current Los Angeles Rams defensive back Kamren Curl could be on the team’s radar.
General manager Ryan Poles has said the team would like to retain All-Pro Kevin Byard, who just led the league in interceptions (7). The team’s other starting safety, Jaquan Brisker, is likely heading elsewhere, though, and the Bears will need to replace him.
The draft is one option, and free agency is another. Curl is set to be one of the best safeties available, and CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles listed the Bears as a potential suitor for him. Would he pair well with Byard in Dennis Allen’s defense? Let’s discuss.
Could the Chicago Bears Sign Safety Kamren Curl to Replace Jaquan Brisker?
GettyKamren Curl is set to be a free agent in the offseason, and CBS Sports named the Chicago Bears a top suitor. Will they sign him?
Curl, 26, is coming off a solid season with the Rams. He finished the year with 122 tackles, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, two interceptions and five passes defended in 17 games. He was used primarily in the box, but he also rotated into coverage at times.
Curl’s role in L.A. has been very similar to Brisker’s in Chicago. Both have been used primarily as strong safeties, both have been solid against the run the run and both are 26 years old.
At first glance, the most glaring difference between Brisker and Curl is their respective injury histories. Brisker, unfortunately, has suffered concussions on three separate occasions, and has missed 16 games over his four-year career. He played all 17 games in 2025 for the first time.
Curl, on the other hand, has missed just two games over the past three seasons, and has never missed more than five games in any of his his six seasons in the NFL. The Rams safety has also been better in coverage.
Per PFF, Curl finished with an 82.4 passer rating allowed last season. By comparison, opposing quarterbacks had a collective rating of 118.1 when targeting Brisker. Curl also ranked first among all safeties in the NFL in snaps played (1,112), further highlighting his durability.
If Bears Re-Sign Kevin Byard, Adding Cam Curl Could Prove Difficult
Curl is scheduled to hit free agency after his two-year deal, $9 million contract with the Rams expires. Given his age and recent production, his next contract will likely land well above that figure. Spotrac has him projected to sign for around $10 million per season when he inks his next deal, and that could put him out of Chicago’s range, as Poles has made his thoughts clear on who he’d like back at safety.
“I have no problem saying that that is a player that we would like to have back,” the Bears GM said on January 21. “But, again, when you add the other safeties into that mix, and all of the other decisions that we have across the roster, cap restraints, things like that, it will be a challenge. But, that’s part of what we do.”
If Chicago can keep Byard, it’s likely the Bears will look to draft a young safety. But if Byard leaves, Curl would be one of the Bears’ better options in free agency.
Bears Could Sign Rams Starting DB to Replace Jaquan Brisker