Chicago Bears safeties left off top-10 list, highlighting major question mark going into 2026

In 2025, the Chicago Bears had, by far, the best turnover differential in the NFL with +22. Not only was this a testament to how well quarterback Caleb Williams and the offense took care of the ball, but also to how adept the defense was at forcing turnovers. They had a league-leading 23 interceptions that contributed to this number.

Of these 23 interceptions, 10 of them were recorded by Bears safeties. In particular, former Chicago safety Kevin Byard III had seven. Jaquan Brisker had one, and CJ Gardner-Johnson had two. Those 10 picks accounted for about 43% of Chicago’s interceptions.

The problem, though, is that none of these three players are on the Bears roster anymore.

Chicago Bears safeties being left off a top-10 ranking highlight major questions

All three of Chicago’s top safeties departed in free agency this off-season. In an effort to rebuild the room, the Bears signed Coby Bryant, who won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks last year, and drafted Dillon Thieneman in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

But when ESPN released its top-10 safeties list, as voted on by NFL coaches, executives, and scouts, no Chicago players at the position were listed. Bryant was an honorable mention, with a quote from an anonymous NFL coordinator, “I love him. He’s a corner by trade, so he has good feet and ball skills, but he will hit, too, now.”

The Super Bowl champion had four interceptions last season while playing for Seattle, which would have ranked third on the Bears roster a year ago.

Indeed, while there is a great deal of optimism surrounding Chicago’s offense, there are many unanswered questions regarding the defense. The pass rush was not a very big focus, and many believe it should have been. Last season’s secondary was able to generate turnovers despite a relatively weak pass rush, and now they are all gone.

If this year’s safety room does not produce turnovers at the same rate as last season’s, it could be a real problem for the Bears.

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