Coby Bryant is with the Seattle Seahawks no more after agreeing to terms with the Chicago Bears in the early part of 2026 free agency. The team might miss his ability to create turnovers, and at least one player, Julian Love, will miss playing next to the safety.
After Bryant's agreement to terms was announced, Love wrote on social media, "Beyond deserved. Chicago got a real one." He also used an 8-ball emoji, Bryant's jersey number.
Love and Bryant played next to one another for a season and a half after Bryant became a full-time starter in 2024. His ability to cover in the middle deep as well as stuffing the run helped change the efficiency of the defense. He also appeared to have a great rapport with Love and clear communication.
Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love tweets about his happiness for Coby Bryant's new deal
Bryant was also able to remake his career after beginning as a slot cornerback. After being moved out of that spot after the team drafted Devon Witherspoon in the first round of the 2023 draft, Bryant became a backup with no clear path to getting many reps. After starter Rayshawn Jenkins was injured, Bryant became the strong safety and never relinquished the role.
Beyond deserved 🎱 Chicago got a real one 🤞🏾 https://t.co/ehPF39031L
— Julian Love (@_jlove20) March 9, 2026
From backup to starter to taking his recent success and turning it into a deal that is reported to pay him as much as $40 million over three seasons, the safety has proven that he can be a true disruptor in the NFL. Unfortunately, that just won't happen with the Seahawks.
His replacement appears to already be on the roster, however. Ty Okada played quite a bit when Julian Love missed many games with a hamstring issue in 2025. Okada didn't create the turnovers that Bryant did, but was stout against the run, sticky in coverage, and fearless when trying to take down opposing ball-carriers.
The risk with Okada is that he has only been productive for most of one season. Now that he might be expected to be a full-time starter, he has to earn that spot long-term. Any regression would likely mean head coach Mike Macdonald switches him out for some other unknown player, one possibly not currently on the roster.
A very real chance exists that the Seattle Seahawks will miss what Coby Bryant brings with interceptions and forced fumbles, and his well-rounded efficiency. Julian Love is obviously happy that his former teammate got paid, though one might rightfully assume that Love would rather have Bryant still on his team.