The Chicago Bears’ defense in 2025 didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet, but it played with discipline, fundamentals, and a knack for timely takeaways. That blend of steady execution and opportunism doesn’t happen by accident - it’s the product of smart coaching and, perhaps more importantly, a couple of ballhawks in the secondary who made big plays when it mattered most.
Enter Nahshon Wright and Kevin Byard.
Wright, a rangy cornerback with length and instincts, and Byard, the veteran All-Pro safety with a nose for the football, were the glue holding the Bears’ back end together. And the league took notice. Both earned nods to the 2026 Pro Bowl Games, a nod not just to their individual talents, but to the impact they had on a defense that outperformed expectations when it came to creating turnovers and closing out games.
But here’s the twist: both Wright and Byard are set to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. And while the Bears would love to keep the duo together, the salary cap and market dynamics are about to make things very interesting.
Message Sent, Loud and Clear
During the Pro Bowl festivities, the Bears’ social media team sent Wright and Byard on a lighthearted scavenger hunt. One of the prompts?
“Shake hands with someone you wish you could play with.” Wright didn’t have to look far - he found Byard, and the two shared a moment that felt like more than just a fun Pro Bowl bit.
It was a signal. Maybe not a demand, but certainly a message to general manager Ryan Poles: We want to run it back in Chicago.
Byard, never one to mince words, kept it simple: “We ain’t really got to say too much. We ain’t gone say nothing else.”
Translation? The ball is in the Bears’ court.
The Cap Crunch and the Numbers Game
Here’s where things get tricky. The Bears are currently projected to be over the 2026 salary cap.
That’s the bad news. The good news?
There’s a clear path to clearing over $40 million in space without having to cut a single player. That flexibility gives Poles and the front office some breathing room - but not a blank check.
According to Spotrac projections, Wright is expected to command about $16.7 million per year on a three-year deal. Byard, meanwhile, is pegged at two years and $15.6 million total. That’s a significant investment for a team with multiple roster needs and some big decisions looming.
Still, if you’re the Bears, you have to ask yourself: can you really afford to let these two walk?
The Numbers Behind the Impact
Wright and Byard combined for 15 takeaways in 2025 - 12 interceptions and three fumble recoveries. That’s more than what eight entire teams managed over the course of the season. Their ball skills, anticipation, and ability to flip the field were central to Chicago’s defensive identity during a year that saw the team take meaningful steps forward.
It wasn’t just about the turnovers, either. Their presence allowed the Bears to be more aggressive up front, knowing they had playmakers on the back end who could clean things up. That kind of trust in your secondary is invaluable - and hard to replace.
What Comes Next
Wright and Byard have made it clear: they want to stay. They want to keep building in Chicago. And they want to do it together.
Now, it’s on Ryan Poles to decide whether that’s a vision he’s willing - and able - to invest in.
The Bears have momentum, a young core, and a defense that showed flashes of something special. Retaining two of their most impactful defenders would send a strong message about continuity, belief, and building something sustainable.
Because sometimes, the smartest offseason move isn’t bringing in new talent - it’s keeping the right guys from leaving.