The Bears spent the offseason trying to reshape their defense, and a lot of the attention naturally went to the bigger names. But one of the quieter additions could wind up being the one that matters right away in Week 1.
That player is Cam Lewis, a one-year signing who arrived as the replacement for C.J. Gardner-Johnson after Gardner-Johnson left during the offseason. Chicago brought Lewis in to give the defense a movable piece - someone who could work as both a safety and a cornerback, while also helping on special teams if needed.
Lewis isn’t arriving as a mystery. He was a useful role player for the Buffalo Bills, appearing in 76 career games and starting 14 of them. Ten of those starts came over the last two seasons, which gives the Bears a pretty clear idea of what he can be: steady, versatile, and willing to fill gaps wherever they show up.
The numbers from 2025 also paint that picture. Lewis posted a Pro Football Focus grade of 57.5, which ranked 77th out of 98 safeties. His coverage grade came in at 54.5, while his run-defense grade was 66.0.
Chicago’s need for that kind of flexibility became even more obvious after training camp injuries changed the picture. Coby Bryant’s injury set the defense back, and the Bears later signed Xavier Woods during camp. Lewis and Woods have been battling for one of the starting safety spots, with rookie first-round pick Dillon Thieneman holding the other starting role.
Whatever way that competition shakes out, Lewis should have a role. He can contribute on kickoff coverage and also work into the secondary rotation, giving the Bears another option on a defense that needs more help after finishing among the NFL’s worst against the pass last season.
That’s the backdrop heading into a Week 1 matchup with the Carolina Panthers. It’ll be Lewis’ first real chance to show what he can bring to Chicago, and for a player who has flown under the radar all offseason, 60 minutes might be enough to make Bears fans notice.
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