LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) — Down the stretch run of the Bears' breakthrough 2025 season, general manager Ryan Poles took notice of how his team’s defense was exposed at times. The unit couldn’t keep up with top-flight offenses.
In Poles’ mind, that had to change this offseason. So the Bears allowed key starters to leave in free agency, such as All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, safety Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Nahshon Wright and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson. They also released starting linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in large part due to their need to create salary cap flexibility.
To help fill those voids, Poles and the Bears acquired safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, defensive end Kentavius Street and defensive back Cameron Lewis. They all carry something in common.
“We wanted to get faster and more explosive, and I think we did that,” Poles said. “I know we did that. We want guys that are passionate about football, that play our style and our brand of football, and I know we did that.”
The Bears believe that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will be the beneficiary of this overhaul. In his first season in Chicago, the Bears' defense endured struggles and injuries.
The Bears went 11-6 and won the NFC North in 2025 despite ranking 29th overall in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense. The defense had success in large part because it led the NFL with 33 takeaways. Moving forward, the Bears know they must be better at slowing down offenses in other ways.
“Especially in the postseason, and really down the last part of the (season), in order to play the style we want to play, we need to be able to close on the football a lot faster than we have been doing,” Poles said. “So, that was the emphasis going into this.
“We answered that.”
The Bears’ decision to part ways with the 32-year-old Byard was a notable one. He earned All-Pro honors in 2025 while leading the NFL with seven interceptions and also was a key leader in the locker room.
Byard signed a one-year deal with the Patriots, and Brisker, Wright and Gardner-Johnson also signed one-year contracts elsewhere. It was feasible for the Bears to re-sign any of those four players on a reasonable contract, but Poles sought improvement by looking elsewhere.
Bryant is 26 years old and coming off a career-high four interceptions as a key part of the Super Bowl champion Seahawks' vaunted defense. Bush is 27 and logged a career-best 125 tackles along with three interceptions (two returned for touchdowns) in 2025. Gallimore is 29 and produced a career-best 3.5 sacks last season.
The Bears' newcomers have proven production and high motors.
"My effort and my desire to compete at a high level I think speaks volumes,” Gallimore said. “It's something I take pride in.
“The effort and desire to be at 100% and not take plays off, that's something I take pride in. It's carried me up until to this point. It's been a part of my journey."
"There’s not going to be a drop-off," Bush added.
The Bears have made few changes to their offense this offseason, in large part because there wasn't much need to. Chicago was sixth in total offense and ninth in scoring last season. That often masked the team's defensive struggles.
Poles hopes the Bears have a defense that will do its part now, especially down the stretch as championship aspirations are put to the test.
There are plenty of newcomers for the Bears, though they all carry the same trait.
“I feel like a guy myself that has the love for the game and the desire to compete and fly around, I feel like it goes hand in hand,” Gallimore said. "So, the opportunity to be a part of this system, it’s great. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to not only get better but to dominate with the guys that we have in this room.
“With the speed, guys who love football, guys who want to make plays, guys who want to take it another step further than last year, I think this is a great opportunity for myself.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for TheScoreChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.