The Chicago Bears announced four significant signings on March 12, 2026, but before celebrating the additions, General Manager Ryan Poles acknowledged two significant losses that shaped the direction of the offseason.
Saying Goodbye: Dalman and Byard
Poles opened his press conference with a somber note, addressing the retirement of center Drew Dalman and the departure of safety Kevin Byard to free agency.
On Dalman’s retirement: “Drew Dalman is a guy that we love. He’s a great person, great player. Unfortunately, he’s retiring. That’s tough. We wish him nothing but the best.”
On losing Byard: “Kevin Byard, another guy that we love. He’s going to go pursue free agency. I don’t think we’re going to be able to make that work. He’s been an outstanding player, outstanding person. Wish him nothing but the best as well.”
The losses of a starting center and a veteran safety created clear needs heading into free agency – needs Poles moved quickly to address.
DB Coby Bryant – Leadership and Ball Security
The Bio: Coby Bryant spent the last four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2022-25), helping lead the team to a Super Bowl LX championship. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bryant was a fourth-round pick in 2022 and has recorded 218 career tackles, 17 passes defensed, and seven interceptions. He was named the Jim Thorpe Award winner as college football’s top defensive back after his final season at Cincinnati.
Why He Joined the Chicago Bears: “Honestly, just feeling wanted. That’s the feeling I had, and you know, God told me, just choose his place and that’s what happened.”
On Defensive Backs Coach Al Harris: “Definitely. I couldn’t stop smiling honestly. The guys that he previously worked with had seven plus interceptions, so I look forward to that for sure.”
Bryant’s seven forced fumbles over the last four seasons rank fourth-most among NFL defensive backs, and his four interceptions in 2025 were a career-high. Poles noted that Bryant’s play style – fast, physical, and passionate – aligns perfectly with what Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen is building. A fact that was echoed by Poles, “When we watched (DB) Coby’s (Bryant) tape he was a guy that got us excited. Because again, he played our style of ball, he played fast, he played physically. Those are the things that (Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen) DA is looking for.”
LB Devin Bush – Speed and Experience
The Bio: Devin Bush is a seven-year NFL veteran who entered the league as a first-round pick (10th overall) by Pittsburgh in 2019. A native of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Bush was a consensus All-America selection at Michigan and has started 78 of his 98 career games, accumulating 520 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, and five interceptions. Last season with Cleveland, he recorded a career-high 124 tackles and started all 17 games.
Why He Joined: “My play style. They are looking for a guy with my play style to come in and fit into (Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen) DA’s system.”
On Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen: Bush’s speed and ability to cover ground makes him a perfect fit for the scheme the Bears want to play – one that requires defenders to close on the football faster than they have in the past.
Bush’s two interceptions returned for touchdowns last season were the most by any player in the NFL, showcasing his ball-hawking ability and game-changing potential.
Poles on Bush: “His ability to take the air out. I mean, when he triggers, he goes. Another one again, time goes by. I remember watching him at Michigan. The play style, he plays fast. That helps with range and coverage. Again, if you think DA’s system, it’s a perfect fit.”
DL Neville Gallimore – Effort and Versatility
The Bio: Neville Gallimore is a six-year NFL veteran from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, who has played for Dallas (2020-23), the Los Angeles Rams (2024), and Indianapolis (2025). A third-round pick in 2020, Gallimore has appeared in 83 career games with 147 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He registered a career-best 3.5 sacks last season with the Colts and started all 14 games in his final season at Oklahoma with First-Team All-Big 12 honors.
Why He Joined: “As the process started, it was time to make that decision. I thought it was a great opportunity to be a part of something special. When I got the call when free agency started, I thought it was a great opportunity, just the history of the culture here, especially when it comes to defense and the standard that’s here.”
On Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen: “It’s very exciting. When you look at his history, you see the guys that he’s worked with in the past, even back when New Orleans and then what they’re establishing here… I feel like a guy myself that has a love for the game and the desire to compete and fly around. I feel like it goes hand in hand.”
Poles highlighted Gallimore’s speed as a defensive lineman and his relentless effort – traits that define the faster, more explosive defense the Bears are building.
WR Kalif Raymond – Special Teams Excellence and Familiarity
The Bio: Kalif Raymond is a 10-year NFL veteran from Lawrenceville, Georgia, who spent the last five seasons with Detroit (2021-25). An undrafted free agent who entered the league with Denver in 2016, Raymond has appeared in 112 career games and totaled 190 receptions for 2,554 yards and nine touchdowns. As a punt returner, he’s a two-time All-Pro (2022, 2024) with 1,948 career punt return yards – the most among all NFL returners over the last 10 seasons. He set the Lions’ franchise record with 1,485 career punt return yards.
Why He Joined: “To be honest, a lot of the history. I was just telling somebody that I can’t replicate half the stuff he does, but a lot of David Hester stuff. There is so much history in this building… My wife was born in Chicago, so it’s almost like coming back home. My first NFL game was versus the Bears.”
On Head Coach Ben Johnson: “The time that I knew who Ben (Johnson) was, he had this picture… it was when he was in Miami, just went through a (coaching) transition or whatever, and he said, ‘It’s a picture of (his family at) the beach, you would think that I would be really, really happy, but it was one of the hardest times of my life.’ You take that kind of guy, with that kind of work ethic, who you cannot get to sleep because he is doing so much work, that is when you know that he has it.”
Raymond reunites with Johnson and Special Teams Coordinator Richard Hightower, relationships that should accelerate his integration into the offense and special teams unit.
The Bottom Line
These four signings represent Poles’ strategic approach to building a championship roster: getting faster on defense, adding proven leadership, and reuniting talent with coaches who’ve already developed them. Each player brings specific skills that address the Bears’ identified needs while maintaining the championship-caliber culture the organization is establishing.
tags: General Manager Ryan Poles, DB Coby Bryant, WR Kalif Raymond, LB Devin Bush, and DL Neville Gallimore
