The Chicago Bears saw several players leave town in free agency, especially in the secondary. Kevin Byard, Nahshon Wright, Jaquan Brisker, and CJ Gardner-Johnson were departures that Chicago had to replace.
While the draft will be an outlet for this team to add to the secondary, Chicago also used free agency to bring in some reinforcements on the backend of the defense. The biggest name was safety Coby Bryant, but the signing of cornerback Cam Lewis could be an addition that pays off well for this Bears team in 2026.
Cam Lewis Could Have a Positive Impact for Bears in 2026
Lewis spent the last six seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he improved with time. In 76 games (14 starts), he had 166 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, and one interception. And while he was a depth piece, a role he will likely take on with the Bears, he's a versatile piece that Chicago needed.
Lewis can play safety, outside corner, and in the slot. The fact that he can bounce around and play three different spots makes him a chess piece that will benefit Dennis Allen's defense. During the 2025 season, the Bears had Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson miss time due to injuries. Those absences led to Wright getting more playing time, which worked in Chicago's favor, as he had five interceptions.
While you can't expect that kind of success to happen again, getting Lewis in this system could allow him to tap into another level. The aforementioned Allen and defensive backs/passing game coordinator Al Harris have shown they can coach up this defense and get them to take the football away.
Last season, the Bears were first in the NFL in turnover differential (+22) and interceptions (23). With a bunch of moving parts, there's no telling whether Chicago will be able to recapture that success, but getting a player with the skill set that Lewis possesses was a smart addition.
The Bears have the staff in place that has shown the ability to develop talent on defense, and Lewis could be one of those beneficiaries. Time will tell just how much Chicago leans on Lewis, but he's a sneaky addition that could play a role for the Bears.
In a perfect world, Lewis will be used sparingly, but if things change, fans should feel confident in his ability to step up and be an effective defender.