The Chicago Bears were already facing a tough challenge after losing Coby Bryant for the next eight to ten weeks. Now, a new ranking shows just how significant that loss could be entering the season. Bryant was ranked as the 20th best safety in the NFL according to Bleacher Report.
Cam Lewis, who is expected to step in and start for Bryant, was ranked 74th on the same list. They did not rank rookies, so the ranking of Dillon Thieneman is unknown.
Chicago Bears lose top 20 safety in Coby Bryant
Lewis is a good depth piece, and as a third safety who can shift into the slot at times, he is trusted. That is why the Bears signed him after he played six seasons with the Buffalo Bills. However, the Bears gave Bryant $13M per year on average with his salary. Meanwhile, Lewis is making $3M per year on his contract. The Bears know this is a big drop-off.
That does not mean Lewis cannot hold his own, but it does change the expectations for the secondary. Bryant was signed to be a difference-maker, while Lewis was brought in to provide quality depth.
What hurts the most is that the team was highly invested in the secondary being the reason for the defense to turn around. The defense was bad last year and had holes across the board. However, they had Jaylon Johnson on the back end, and Montez Sweat up front. They could decide to give Johnson help and lean on Sweat, or give Sweat help and lean on Johnson.
Perhaps it was the way the market broke, and the draft board fell. However, the Bears signed Coby Bryant to a big-money deal in free agency, and they drafted Dillon Thieneman in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
With the expectation that Kyler Gordon would be back healthy, the secondary looked to be completely revamped. However, Gordon has not been healthy, and now Bryant joins him. Overall, the group is going to open the year looking like a disappointment.
The Bears still believe the talent is there, but injuries have prevented the secondary from coming together the way the coaching staff envisioned entering training camp.
This is going to sting twice as much when they see that the pass rush is not strong enough to bail them out.
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