LAKE FOREST, Ill., — The Chicago Bears' safety room will look a little different next season when the team hits the field. With four safeties hitting free agency, it became a big need for Ryan Poles to address. And in the early stages of free agency, he signed Coby Bryant, and now he's bringing back a veteran from last season.
Per Brad Biggs, the Bears have re-signed safety Elijah Hicks to a one-year deal. The former Cal standout was drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Bears and will enter his fifth season. He's developed into a really good depth piece as well as a solid special teams player.
While that is the good news, there is some bad news as well.
Shortly after that report was out, veteran safety Kevin Byard signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. The deal is worth $9 million and he reunites with Mike Vrabel in New England. Byard's departure is a tough one as he and the Bears both expressed interest in him coming back. Now, the Bears' interceptions leader from a year ago is heading to the AFC.