Why the Bears might land 2 old favorites at bargain prices

The Chicago Bears let three of their most notable defensive backs walk into free agency this offseason and so far the phone has not exactly been ringing off the hook for any of them. That silence across the league could end up being the best thing that happened to Chicago all week.

Kevin Byard III is still waiting for the right call

When the Bears signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three year deal worth 40 million dollars on the opening day of the legal tampering period most people assumed that slammed the door shut on any potential Kevin Byard reunion. The 32 year old safety had been one of the most productive players on the roster last season starting all 17 games and leading the entire NFL with seven interceptions during a third All Pro campaign that also earned him a Pro Bowl selection.

Byard added 93 tackles, eight passes defended, and four tackles for loss while posting a passer rating allowed of 98.6. Those are elite numbers for a veteran safety and the kind of production most teams would love to add. Yet here he sits without a deal as the second day of the free agency negotiation window rolls on.

The safety market set its prices early on Monday with Bryan Cook landing a three year contract worth 40.25 million dollars at 13.4 million per year, Jalen Thompson getting three years at 33 million, and both Alohi Gilman and Reed Blankenship signing for 24.75 million over three years. Those deals suggest that Byard who was likely hoping for at least 10 million per year may need to lower his expectations significantly if he wants to find a landing spot soon.

Chicago Tribune reporter Brad Biggs indicated that the arrival of Bryant likely makes a Byard reunion unlikely but the longer the veteran remains on the open market the more affordable he becomes. If the Bears still have any interest in bringing back their former team captain the price tag is only moving in their favor with each passing hour.

Kevin Byard grabbed one more interception in Week 18 to secure the league title 💪 @Progressive pic.twitter.com/wsdaOiLpwg

— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2026

Jaquan Brisker appears headed for a permanent exit

The 26 year old safety also started all 17 games for Chicago last season finishing with one interception, eight passes defended, 93 tackles, and a 127.6 passer rating allowed. Those numbers were respectable but they pale next to what Byard produced and the market has reflected that gap so far.

Brisker was reportedly hoping for a deal in the range of 13 to 14 million per year similar to the robust safety contracts that were handed out last offseason. That kind of money simply has not materialized this time around and multiple insiders have indicated that the Bears were always planning to let Brisker walk regardless of the market conditions. ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler noted before free agency opened that his sense was Chicago would attempt to re-sign Byard while allowing Brisker to move on.

Even with the market cooling there still appears to be enough interest around the league to suggest Brisker will eventually find a new home. The expectation in Chicago is that the Bears will look to the 2026 NFL Draft to find a long term starter at safety alongside Bryant rather than bringing Brisker back into the fold.

Nahshon Wright had a breakout year but teams remain cautious

Perhaps no player on this list has more reason to feel frustrated than Wright. The cornerback had a resurgent 2025 season with the Bears that included a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate and he entered free agency expecting to cash in on that momentum. So far that payday has not arrived.

The cornerback market moved quickly on Monday with Alontae Taylor signing for 20 million per year, Jaylen Watson landing at 17 million, and Cor’Dale Flott getting 15 million annually. Those top tier names flew off the board fast but teams appear hesitant to invest heavily in a player with only one standout season on his resume.

Wright expressed a desire to remain in Chicago with defensive backs coach Al Harris after the season ended and that door may not be fully closed. If his market continues to stall a return to the Bears at a reduced price could make sense for both sides especially if Chicago can clear enough cap space to make it work.

Nahshon Wright on his productive 2025 season:

“It was super rewarding. I finally got a chance to soak it all in and reflect and it’s definitely cool to have had the season I had.”

Adds that he’d “obviously” like to stay in Chicago but “we just gotta see where it goes from… pic.twitter.com/GU5Uuxwnhs

— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) February 3, 2026

The Bears played the waiting game and it is paying off

Chicago approached this offseason with patience and the early results suggest that strategy was the right one. The Bears locked in their priority signings on Day 1 including Bryant along with linebacker D’Marco Jackson, quarterback Case Keenum, and left tackle Braxton Jones while letting the market sort itself out for their departing defensive backs.

With prices dropping across the safety and cornerback positions the Bears now find themselves in a position where reunions with Byard or Wright could happen at a fraction of what those players originally expected to earn. Whether the front office picks up the phone remains to be seen but the leverage is firmly in Chicago’s hands.

SOURCE: AZ SPORTS