$40 million Bears star failed to crack top 10 of his position in NFL

The Chicago Bears signed Coby Bryant this offseason to address their need at safety. The move came after he won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks and following the departure of safeties Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker and Jonathan Owens in free agency.

Bryant agreed to a three-year, $40 million contract on March 11, helping Chicago plug a gaping hole at the position. He brings championship experience and a veteran voice to the Bears’ locker room and could mentor their younger players.

The 27-year-old recorded 66 combined tackles consisting of 27 assisted and 39 solo efforts last season. He added four tackles for loss, seven passes deflected and four interceptions in 15 regular-season games.

Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant — Former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) looks on before the game against the Arizona Cardinals.

Chicago Bears’ Coby Bryant is not part of ESPN survey’s top 10 safeties

ESPN released the results of its NFL offseason survey on Thursday. The network asked league executives, coaches and scouts who their top 10 safeties for next season are. Bryant was an honorable mention but not part of the list.

“I love him,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s a corner by trade, so he has good feet and ball skills, but he will hit, too, now.”

At the top of the list is the Baltimore Ravens’ Kyle Hamilton. He is the only defensive back to produce at least 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and five interceptions through his first three years in the league. The Los Angeles Chargers’ Derwin James Jr., Green Bay Packers’ Xavier McKinney, Detroit Lions’ Brian Branch and Atlanta Falcons’ Jessie Bates III round out the top five.

The Seattle Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Antoine Winfield Jr. and Arizona Cardinals’ Budda Baker are Nos. 6 to 8. Completing the list are the Detroit Lions’ Kerby Joseph and Houston Texans’ Calen Bullock.

It’s also worth noting that Byard received some votes.

While Bryant’s exclusion can be considered a snub, he can use it as fuel for next season. He has a chance to prove the league executives, coaches and scouts wrong with a strong first season in Chicago.