One of the most critical offseason moves for the Chicago Bears was signing safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million contract, and there is good reason to see how big a move this was.
The X account "Film Watchers" went through the tape on the Bears' safeties last year and compared it to Bryant's play. One massive difference between them is that Bryant showed he is great at play recognition, which those kinds of instincts lead to turnovers from other parts of the field. The Bears' defense last year was also good at turnovers, but gave up a ton of big plays. That's what got Film Watchers excited about the future of the Bears' safeties.
"I mean that is one heck of a free agency pickup and then you go out and you get Dillon Theieneman? Oh my gosh. That's an awesome rebuilt secondary. I can't wait to watch it."
Bears have a bright future in the secondary with Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman
Chicago's new "312" combo back in the secondary is going to be a deadly duo to have. Thieneman was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as he has shown on tape himself that he can play in the box and drop back into coverage, giving Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a versatile weapon back there.
Bryant can do a lot himself as he plays well in coverage, which is something the Bears desperately needed after last year. Chicago was 22nd in pass defense, allowing 227.2 yards per game, so getting more consistency from the safeties in passing situations will help.
There is also the factor that there is more youth in the secondary, as they get younger with Thieneman playing back there potentially for the next five years, and Bryant is under contract for three years at the age of 27. The Bears are getting these guys in the prime of their careers.
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While Bears fans are going to miss the work that Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker did over the last few years, Bryant and Thieneman seem like they are going to work well together in the future.
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