Adding to the complexity, three of the Bears’ depth safeties are also set to become free agents, leaving Chicago with a constrained safety room and significant rebuilding decisions to make. Poles has signaled Byard as a priority, but Brisker’s status remains a major question mark as the team plans its long-term strategy at the position.
Analyst Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron has predicted the Bears will pursue Kamren Curl of the Rams in free agency, proposing a three-year, $32 million agreement in March as a Brisker replacement. The projection argues Curl would upgrade the strong safety spot, pointing to durability, coverage metrics, and playmaking compared with Brisker.
Curl’s 2025 season underscores the argument: a career-high 122 total tackles, two interceptions, five pass deflections, and 32 defensive stops (fifth-best among safeties per Pro Football Focus), plus a 84.7 run defense grade (sixth-best). He also delivered a clutch playoff moment, intercepting a Caleb Williams pass in the Rams’ playoff win against the Bears, a pick that helped seal the Rams’ victory in overtime.
The comparison to Brisker includes durability and availability: Curl reportedly missed just two games over the last three seasons, while Brisker has missed more frequent time, according to the projection. Curl’s durability and production—paired with proven versatility in both the deep and box roles—form the crux of Infante’s argument for a Bears pivot at safety.
In this context, Chicago’s path could involve prioritizing Byard, then considering an upgrade plan at strong safety via a Curl acquisition if Brisker remains unsigned. The Bears’ decision will shape their safety room heading into 2026 and influence how aggressively they rebuild the position through free agency.
