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The NFL has a nasty habit of turning every August injury into a season-ending crisis. And that is exactly what is happening with the Chicago Bears.
Losing Coby Bryant hurts. Chicago gave the safety a three-year, $40 million contract because it viewed him as a versatile tone-setter for Dennis Allen’s defense. Bryant then hyperextended his knee during the first padded practice, suffering a bone bruise and small fracture that is expected to sideline him for eight to ten weeks.
I get the reaction, I do. However, it has gone too far.
MORE: Chiefs star looks better than expected early in NFL training camp
First and foremost, Bryant was not lost for the season. Even the longer recovery estimate could put him back around the second month of the schedule. That’s not fantastic news, but it’s also not armageddon.
Jul 31, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Coby Bryant (2) passes the ball during Training Camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Bears must survive without him – not permanently replace him. And they have more answers than the panic would have you believe.
First-round rookie Dillon Thieneman was already expected to start alongside Bryant. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, played multiple safety alignments in college and earned first-team All-American honors after consistently finding the football. Bryant’s absence accelerates his development, but Chicago did not spend the 25th pick on Thieneman to hide him.
MORE: AFC North team may already boast the NFL’s best rookie class of 2026
Cam Lewis can move from nickel to safety after playing both roles in Buffalo. Elijah Hicks has starting experience and should return in short order from the PUP list. The Bears also still have Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and several young cornerbacks competing for expanded roles. Acknowledged, the lineup may look different. But it is not empty.
Chicago also received good news when linebacker T.J. Edwards returned to practice Wednesday. Pair him with free-agent addition Devin Bush – who recorded 124 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season – and the defense still has speed and experience in the middle.
There will be mistakes. Thieneman will have rookie moments. Allen may need to simplify certain packages until Bryant returns.
That is an adjustment, not a collapse. The Bears lost an important defender in August. They did not lose their defense.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
Losing Coby Bryant hurts. Chicago gave the safety a three-year, $40 million contract because it viewed him as a versatile tone-setter for Dennis Allen’s defense. Bryant then hyperextended his knee during the first padded practice, suffering a bone bruise and small fracture that is expected to sideline him for eight to ten weeks.
I get the reaction, I do. However, it has gone too far.
MORE: Chiefs star looks better than expected early in NFL training camp
First and foremost, Bryant was not lost for the season. Even the longer recovery estimate could put him back around the second month of the schedule. That’s not fantastic news, but it’s also not armageddon.
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Jul 31, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Coby Bryant (2) passes the ball during Training Camp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The Bears must survive without him – not permanently replace him. And they have more answers than the panic would have you believe.
First-round rookie Dillon Thieneman was already expected to start alongside Bryant. He ran a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, played multiple safety alignments in college and earned first-team All-American honors after consistently finding the football. Bryant’s absence accelerates his development, but Chicago did not spend the 25th pick on Thieneman to hide him.
MORE: AFC North team may already boast the NFL’s best rookie class of 2026
Cam Lewis can move from nickel to safety after playing both roles in Buffalo. Elijah Hicks has starting experience and should return in short order from the PUP list. The Bears also still have Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and several young cornerbacks competing for expanded roles. Acknowledged, the lineup may look different. But it is not empty.
Chicago also received good news when linebacker T.J. Edwards returned to practice Wednesday. Pair him with free-agent addition Devin Bush – who recorded 124 tackles, three interceptions and eight pass breakups last season – and the defense still has speed and experience in the middle.
There will be mistakes. Thieneman will have rookie moments. Allen may need to simplify certain packages until Bryant returns.
That is an adjustment, not a collapse. The Bears lost an important defender in August. They did not lose their defense.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
