The Chicago Bears tasted success in the first year of the Ben Johnson era, but it's all about continuing to fill out the roster. The Bears have multiple starters hitting free agency, including starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
There's no telling what direction the Bears are leaning toward, but things may have gotten more complicated. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported on Wednesday that the Miami Dolphins have fielded calls around safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. With new management and coaching staff in place, led by former Packers Jeff Hafley and Jon-Eric Sullivan, they seek to rebuild the roster in their image.
And with a Pro Bowl safety up for grabs, the Bears may be interested in acquiring him and making a big change to their safety room.
Minkah Fitzpatrick Trade Talks Give Bears New Option to Consider
Fitzpatrick is under contract for one more year at $18.8 million, with Spotrac predicting he'll get an extension in the three-year, $57 million range. Considering the Bears currently have -$10 million in cap space, they'd have to maneuver to create extra space, but they'll have to do that regardless to make any additions this offseason.
Fitzpatrick has been one of the best players at his position, making him an interesting target. He has five Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro selections under his belt. Over his eight-year career, the former Alabama standout has compiled 690 total tackles, 60 pass deflections, 21 interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns.
Although he didn't earn any accolades last year with Miami, he still graded out among the best safeties in the league. On Pro Football Focus, Fitzpatrick had an overall grade of 81.8 (7th among 98 graded safeties), a coverage grade of 78.3 (9th among 98 graded safeties), and a run-defense grade of 79.6 (17th among 98 graded safeties). He only allowed 27 catches for 253 receiving yards and two touchdowns in coverage.
The former Alabama standout is certainly a productive player, but the Bears just had a Pro Bowl and All-Pro in that room with Byard. Over 17 games, he had 93 total tackles, eight pass breakups, and an NFL-high seven interceptions. That led to Byard recording an overall grade of 74.2 (15th among 98 graded safeties) and a coverage grade of 72.5 (20th among 98 graded safeties) on PFF.
Byard is slated to hit the market as well, with Spotrac expecting him to get a two-year, $15 million deal. General manager Ryan Poles made it clear that he would love to bring the veteran back, which could make it harder for Brisker to return.
Speaking of Brisker, he's been up and down during his time with the Bears, including playing in only five games in 2024 after suffering three concussions. Yet this past season, he started all 17 games, tallying 93 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception. But his PFF grades weren't as appealing, finishing with a 60.4 overall grade (68th among 98 graded safeties) and 50.9 coverage grade (76th among 98 graded safeties).
The Penn State product should still have a solid market, given he's still just 26 years old. Spotrac believes he gets a contract in the ballpark of three years, $33 million.
Fitzpatrick's bill is the highest of the three, and that's for a reason. He has done this at a high level throughout his NFL career, and he won't turn 30 years old until November. Meanwhile, Byard will turn 32 years old in August.
Age, scheme fit, and money will all be major talking points when discussing an option, but Fitzpatrick possibly being moved is enough to alter the Bears' safety room if they decide to make the plunge. He will likely want an extension with his new team, as Jason Fitzpatrick of Overthecap noted, and if the Bears believe he's worth it, this could be a big move.