As the Chicago Bears enter the calm phase of their free agency, they can reflect on the hard work they did in the first two weeks.
The Bears made several strong moves in free agency, with a greater focus on the defensive side of the ball. Several defensive linemen were brought on, as well as adding other top talent like linebacker Devin Bush.
Chicago's first big signing of the offseason, Coby Bryant, might be the most important one for the team. It's the one that could end up putting the Bears in the Super Bowl conversation as they get the defensive playmaker they needed at safety to replace Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
Coby Bryant is a home run signing for the Bears
Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract to be on the team after winning a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last month. Last year, Byant racked up 66 tackles, seven pass deflections, four tackles for loss, a career-high four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 15 games. He had 10 tackles and two pass deflections during the Seahawks' Super Bowl run.
The Bears are getting a defender who can do it all for the Bears and give them the youthful playmaker they needed. There's going to be a lot of pressure on Bryant to step up in the secondary as the Bears most likely add a safety in the NFL Draft to start alongside him.
What helps is that the secondary already has some veterans, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon hopefully back to 100% for the new season. There have been talks about Gordon potentially moving to safety as well, but Bryant will still share the burden of performing well back there.
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Among the moves Chicago has made so far, Bryant's signing might be the most important one, as it appears to be a home run at a position that needed it.