Chicago Bears Position Grades: Safety

The Chicago Bears saw one of their top players at the position, Jaquan Brisker, miss a lot of time with a concussion. A couple of others stepped up to play somewhat better but, in the end, this position lacked a bit of the depth necessary to help solidify the team’s defensive backfield.

The Bears could do a little work with this group in the off-season to shore it up and make it a bit better. A lot of what happens here in 2025 will depend on Brisker. Can he come back, fully, from the concussion problems he has had in the last couple of seasons? Will Kevin Byard be just as good, or even better, than he was in 2025? Who is behind these guys that can step up and contribute?

Let’s look at the safeties who are currently with the Bears heading into the offseason, what they did last year, and what their prospects are heading into the 2025 season.

Jaquan Brisker

We talked about the 25-year-old Brisker and the fact that he has had some issues with concussions over his three years with the Bears. The fear with him is that he might suffer one more concussion and be done for good. That’s a worst-case scenario but it’s a possibility.

When he’s in the lineup, he plays well and is a force at times. The Bears and their fans would like to see him stay healthy. It’s going to be a make-or-break year for Brisker as he becomes a free agent in 2026. If he doesn’t make it through the season, it’s likely he won’t be back.

Kevin Byard

Kevin Byard, a 31-year-old safety who came to the Bears last season had a solid year and will be back again in 2025. Byard ended up playing in all 17 games for the Bears ending the campaign with a total of 80 tackles with 50 assists. He registered two sacks, seven passes defended, and one interception. He was one of the better players on defense and promises to be an important part of the team next season.

Chicago signed Byard to a two-year deal, so they won’t be sending him out the door in 2025. If he plays well, he’s bound to get a contract extension (or another contract) and remain with the team until he retires.

Jonathan Owens

Yet another player who performed at safety for the Bears in 2024 was Jonathan Owens. Perhaps known more for who he is married to, Simone Biles, Owens, 29, had some nice moments in 2024. He recorded 49 tackles in five starts and recorded two fumbles and two passes defended.

The Bears brought him in on a two-year deal and thus will likely hang onto him unless someone better comes along. One would think that the Bears will rely on Owens to be a backup safety, again, in 2025 and remain a reliable reserve.

Elijah Hicks

The Bears depth at safety was tested with Brisker out for most of the season. Third-year safety Elijah Hicks, 25, was able to step in and start seven games for the Bears. He recovered two fumbles and got 40 total tackles. He is signed through the 2025 season and will be on his best behavior performing for the Bears in hopes of earning another contract with them or another team. The Bears can use him for depth in case Brisker goes out again so they should keep him around for another season.

Tavarius Moore

Another player who provided some depth at safety for the Bears is Tavarius Moore. Moore, who is 28 and in his fifth season, saw action in 11 games. In those 11 games, he had seven total tackles. He is heading to free agency as an unrestricted free agent and is someone that the Bears will likely let go and look for a replacement for.

Adrian Colbert

Thirty-one-year-old Adrian Colbert was a reserve safety on the Bears in 2024. This seven-year veteran saw action in just five games for the Bears and didn’t pick up any stats. He’s been a career reserve player, pretty much. The Bears might see his age as a factor and move on to get some youth on the team. Only on a one-year deal, don’t expect Colbert back in 2025.

Alex Cook

Finally, there is Alex Cook, a two-year veteran who signed a reserve/futures contract recently. He will be a guy that they look at as a reserve possibility for 2025. He came into the league in 2023 spending all last year on practice squads with the New York Giants and the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old will figure into the Bears plans in 2025. He may even earn a spot on the roster when it’s all said and done.

The Bears are sure to look for some additional depth at the free and strong safety positions throughout the offseason. It appears as if Brisker, Byard, and Owens are locked in to make the team. The rest are either on their way out or ready to be evaluated. The biggest X-factor in all of this is Brisker. If he can remain free of concussions, the sky is the limit. He could easily be a Pro Bowl safety.

Final Grade: C+

What is the overall grade for the safety position this season? A C+ seems to be fitting. Had Brisker been there all season the grade would be higher. Kevin Byard played a good season and looks good for another season. Some work here should do wonders for the position group in 2025.