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The Chicago Bears are facing several decisions in free agency this offseason, especially on their defense which could see several big departures.
With the calendar getting closer to the start of free agency, NFL.com released their Top 101 free agents list, which features four Bears players, with a couple of players being highly questionable to return to the team next year. Three members of Chicago's secondary made the list, while one veteran offensive tackle ,who fell out of the lineup, could all be landing on new teams this upcoming offseason.
Here are the four Bears players who cracked the NFL's Top 101 list, including both of the team's starting safeties in 2025.
Having struggled with injuries throughout his young career, specifically concussions, Jaquan Brisker stormed back in 2025 and put together quite the year. Playing in all 17 games, the first time in his four seasons that he's played a full year, Brisker totaled 93 tackles, one sack, and one interception, but he may have had his best performance in the final game of the season. In the NFC divisional playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Brisker totaled 14 tackles, one sack, and two passes defended, finding himself all over the field. He comes with injury risk based off his history, but Brisker could cash in big on the open market.
One of the best stories in all of the NFL this season, Nahshon Wright had a career year on a one-year, $1.1 million deal, while earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. Wright led the NFL leaders in takeaways last season, and he will most certainly be in line for a big contract in free agency, which could force Chicago's hand to be carefully selective. Wright got his opportunities due to consistent injuries keeping Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon out of the lineup, and paid off well with his five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
NFL teams can never have too many offensive linemen, and Braxton Jones fell out of favor in Chicago's lineup last season. Jones lost his job to both Theo Benedet and rookie Ozzy Trapilo during 2025, while he was working his way back from a broken ankle injury suffered in the 2024 season. Jones has plenty of starting experience and he will likely get an opportunity with another team to crack a starting lineup once again. But Chicago's injuries at left tackle could entice them to bring him back.
Although he's last on the Top 101 list for the Bears on this list, Kevin Byard could be the most important player of the four who are listed. Byard has been an unquestioned leader not just on defense but in the locker room, and his confidence in the organization never wavered over the last two seasons. Going through the Matt Eberflus dysfunction in 2024, Byard took accountability upon himself in the first year under Ben Johnson in 2025, and led by example with his play on the field, including his league-best seven interceptions last year. Byard seems more likely than everyone else to return to Chicago, as he is a 32-year old veteran who the Bears have to insert more value into for what he does on and off the field.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Four Bears make NFL's Top 101 pending free agents list for 2026
Continue reading...
With the calendar getting closer to the start of free agency, NFL.com released their Top 101 free agents list, which features four Bears players, with a couple of players being highly questionable to return to the team next year. Three members of Chicago's secondary made the list, while one veteran offensive tackle ,who fell out of the lineup, could all be landing on new teams this upcoming offseason.
Here are the four Bears players who cracked the NFL's Top 101 list, including both of the team's starting safeties in 2025.
No. 51 - Jaquan Brisker, S
Having struggled with injuries throughout his young career, specifically concussions, Jaquan Brisker stormed back in 2025 and put together quite the year. Playing in all 17 games, the first time in his four seasons that he's played a full year, Brisker totaled 93 tackles, one sack, and one interception, but he may have had his best performance in the final game of the season. In the NFC divisional playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams, Brisker totaled 14 tackles, one sack, and two passes defended, finding himself all over the field. He comes with injury risk based off his history, but Brisker could cash in big on the open market.
No. 55 - Nahshon Wright, CB
One of the best stories in all of the NFL this season, Nahshon Wright had a career year on a one-year, $1.1 million deal, while earning his first career Pro Bowl selection. Wright led the NFL leaders in takeaways last season, and he will most certainly be in line for a big contract in free agency, which could force Chicago's hand to be carefully selective. Wright got his opportunities due to consistent injuries keeping Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon out of the lineup, and paid off well with his five interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
No. 85 - Braxton Jones, OL
NFL teams can never have too many offensive linemen, and Braxton Jones fell out of favor in Chicago's lineup last season. Jones lost his job to both Theo Benedet and rookie Ozzy Trapilo during 2025, while he was working his way back from a broken ankle injury suffered in the 2024 season. Jones has plenty of starting experience and he will likely get an opportunity with another team to crack a starting lineup once again. But Chicago's injuries at left tackle could entice them to bring him back.
No. 86 - Kevin Byard, S
Although he's last on the Top 101 list for the Bears on this list, Kevin Byard could be the most important player of the four who are listed. Byard has been an unquestioned leader not just on defense but in the locker room, and his confidence in the organization never wavered over the last two seasons. Going through the Matt Eberflus dysfunction in 2024, Byard took accountability upon himself in the first year under Ben Johnson in 2025, and led by example with his play on the field, including his league-best seven interceptions last year. Byard seems more likely than everyone else to return to Chicago, as he is a 32-year old veteran who the Bears have to insert more value into for what he does on and off the field.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Four Bears make NFL's Top 101 pending free agents list for 2026
Continue reading...
