You never know how a new coaching staff will view the previous coaches' players, so while on paper, the [Chicago Bears](https://www.windycitygridiron.com/)' safety room seems solid, the new regime may have other ideas.
There was a lot of promise for the 2024 defense heading into the season, but it fell apart as the year wore on. That was due to some injuries, but also the front seven not generating enough pressure. So, we never got to see the talented back end thrive.
Much like the Bears did a season ago, new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen wants interchangeable safeties so he can disguise coverages. Allen’s defense is a bit more aggressive with blitzes and stunts, which could expose the secondary on occasion, but it’ll also lead to big play opportunities.
Here are Chicago’s current safeties.
**Kevin Byard III - Signed through 2025 -** Did you realize that Byard led the Bears with 130 tackles? That’s the most he’s had in a season in his nine-year career, and while he did a nice job in run support all season long, that’s not what you want from a safety. At a soon-to-be 32 years old, he may have lost a step, but his high football IQ allows him to make up for it.
**Jaquan Brisker - Signed through 2025 -** Concussions are a problem for Brisker. He’s had a few in his three years in Chicago, and he was limited to just five games in 2024. If he comes all the way back, he’s an asset for Allen’s defense, but can they count on him playing all 17 games?
**Jonathan Owens - Signed through 2025 -** Owens is a solid backup and special teamer, and his contract ($1.925M) is fine for a reserve. Unless Allen doesn’t think he’s a scheme fit, I think he stays.
**Elijah Hicks - Signed through 2025 -** Hicks has played in 44 games (15 starts) since being a seventh round pick in 2022.
**Tarvarius Moore - Free agent -** Moore started the season on the practice squad but ended up playing in 11 games last year, all on special teams.
**Adrian Colbert - Free agent -** Colbert’s run in Chicago is probably over.
**Alex Cook - Signed through 2025\* -** The Bears are Cook’s fourth stop since being a 2023 UDFA. He spent 2024 on practice squads but played in 10 games in 2023 for the Panthers.
##### \*Cook will be an exclusive rights free agent in 2026.
**2025 OUTLOOK -** It’s an interesting safety group, as none of them are signed beyond the 2025 season. If the Bears' draft board has a safety fall to them, I could see them pulling the trigger to position themselves for 2026.
I asked our Lead Draft Analyst, Jacob Infante, for a few mid-round safeties who would make sense for the Bears, and he said Penn State’s Jaylen Reed, Jonas Sanker from Virginia, and Billy Bowman from Oklahoma.
As for free agency, 29-year-old Will Harris spent his first five years in the league with the Lions and his 2024 in New Orleans, where he just started 13 games.
_What do you think happens at safety this offseason?_