Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant underwent knee surgery and will be sidelined for four to six months, coach Ben Johnson announced on Tuesday. Bryant sustained a hyperextended knee along with a bone bruise and small fracture during a training camp practice. The injury was unexpected, as he was not initially anticipated to require surgical intervention. The 27-year-old was visibly emotional when he went down during a one-on-one drill and had to be removed from the field on a cart. The Bears expressed hope that Bryant could return for playoff competition should the team qualify for postseason play.
Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract with Chicago this offseason after spending recent seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. The acquisition was intended to strengthen the secondary alongside returning starters, though both of the team’s prior starting safeties departed in free agency. Bryant was a fourth-round selection by Seattle in 2022 out of Cincinnati. After transitioning from cornerback to safety under Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald in 2024, Bryant recorded seven interceptions, 139 tackles, 13 passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery over the past two seasons. He appeared in all three Seattle playoff games as the team won the Super Bowl.
The Bears’ secondary faces considerable depth challenges with Bryant unavailable. Safety Elijah Hicks remains on the physically unable to perform list with a shin injury, while nickel back Kyler Gordon is also sidelined with a calf issue that has limited him throughout the offseason. General manager Ryan Poles acknowledged frustration with the situation. Chicago drafted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman 25th overall in April and is expected to start at one safety position, with Cam Lewis as a backup option. The team opens its 2026 season on Sept. 13 against the Panthers, giving limited time to address secondary depth through alternative means.
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