The Chicago Bears defense is looking to make a statement this season, and there’s no shortage of talent for a unit that their offensive teammates have already hailed as a top-five defense in the NFL.
When looking at the secondary, in particular, they could very well have one of the best groups in the league, including at safety. Jaquan Brisker is back for his third season while the team signed All-Pro veteran Kevin Byard to replace Eddie Jackson, who was released earlier this offseason. They also added Jonathan Owens in free agency to serve as a key reserve.
ESPN’s Mike Clay has released his 2024 projections, including ranking every safety group in the NFL. Where does Chicago’s safeties rank among the rest of the league? Here’s a look:
Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants safety Jason Pinnock (27) makes an interception during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Jason Pinnock, Tyler Nubin, Dane Belton, Jalen Mills, Elijah Riley
Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones (29) goes up for an interception as New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (7) closes in during the second half of an NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 29, 2023.
Brandon Jones, Caden Sterns, P.J. Locke, Delarrin Turner-Yell, JL Skinner
Nov 20, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, C.J. Moore, Chelen Garnes
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 05: Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Commanders reacts during the second half in the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 05, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Kamren Curl, Russ Yeast, Kamren Kinchens, Jason Taylor II, Tanner Ingle
Dec 12, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark (36) runs with the ball after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, Ashtyn Davis, Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Jaylen Key
Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants safety Julian Love (20) walks off the field following the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, K’Von Wallace, Coby Bryant, Jerrick Reed II
Nov 12, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) reacts after a play against the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter during an International Series game at Deutsche Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Julian Blackmon, Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Ronnie Harrison, Trevor Denbow
Dec 11, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker (37) runs with the football after recovering a blocked kicked attempt against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, Mike Brown, Shyheim Carter, Matthew Jackson
Bills safety Taylor Rapp waits his turn during special teams drills.
Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Cameron Lewis, Damar Hamlin
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Justin Reid (20) reacts after a play against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner, Jaden Hicks, Deon Bush
Sep 24, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs with the ball as Washington Commanders safety Darrick Forrest (22) chases during the second quarter at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Darrick Forrest, Jeremy Chinn, Percy Butler, Jeremy Reaves, Dominique Hampton
Jan 21, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (23) against the New York Giants during an NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Mekhi Garner
New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney (29) holds up at the ball at the end of the game of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The New York Giants defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 23-17. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jki 102322 Giants Jags Cp 19
Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Anthony Johnson Jr., Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo
Nov 5, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) catches a touchdown pass over New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) during the first half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Tyrann Mathieu, Jordan Howden, Johnathan Abram, J.T. Gray, 0
Nov 13, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (51) celebrates with safety Talanoa Hufanga (29) after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Talanoa Hufanga, Ji’Ayir Brown, George Odum, Tayler Hawkins, Malik Mustapha
Oct 17, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders free safety Trevon Moehrig (25) celebrates his interception in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Trevon Moehrig, Marcus Epps, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Chris Smith II, Trey Taylor
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts as he runs for a touchdown after intercepting a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jessie Bates, DeMarcco Hellams, Richie Grant, Micah Abernathy, Dane Cruikshank
Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods (25) reacts after intercepting the ball in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Sam Franklin, Alex Cook
Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) works to bring down Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Jalen Pitre, Jimmie Ward, Eric Murray, Calen Bullock, M.J. Stewart
Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Geno Stone (26) tackles Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Geno Stone, Vonn Bell, Jordan Battle, Daijahn Anthony, Tycen Anderson
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 07: Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears is tackled by Darnell Savage #26 of the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Darnell Savage Jr., Andre Cisco, Andrew Wingard, Terrell Edmunds, Daniel Thomas
Oct 30, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) passes around Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Donovan Wilson, Malik Hooker, Juanyeh Thomas, Israel Mukuamu, Sheldrick Redwine
Jan 1, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Kyle Dugger (23) runs for a touchdown after intercepting the ball during the second half of agame against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marte Mapu, Jaylinn Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe
CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 17: Jaquan Brisker #9 of the Chicago Bears reacts during the first half of a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks, Quindell Johnson
Oct 29, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Easton Stick (2) runs the ball against Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-710622 ORIG FILE ID: 20231029_tbs_hf7_543.JPG
Derwin James, Alohi Gilman, JT Woods, AJ Finley, Jalyn Phillips
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 24: Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals tackles Cole Kmet #85 of the Chicago Bears during the second quarter at Soldier Field on December 24, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson, Andre Chachere, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Joey Blount
Oct 22, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) catches a pass against Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Minkah Fitzpatrick, DeShon Elliott, Damontae Kazee, Trenton Thompson, Miles Killebrew
Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) celebrates an interception late in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Oct. 23, 2022.
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Jevon Holland, Jordan Poyer, Elijah Campbell, Patrick McMorris, Jason Maitre
Dec 10, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) catches a pass as Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit (22) defends during the first half at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Grant Delpit, Juan Thornhill, Rodney McLeod, Ronnie Hickman, D’Anthony Bell
Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Antoine Winfield Jr., Jordan Whitehead, Tykee Smith, Kaevon Merriweather, Chris McDonald
Dec 6, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) celebrates his interception with teammates during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward
Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (14) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Williams, Kyle Hamilton, Sanoussi Kane, Beau Brade, Ryan Cooper