The Bears’ safety room looked completely empty at the start of the week. After reaching an agreement with former Seahawks safety Coby Bryant on Monday (a move that will fill the role previously held by All-Pro Kevin Byard III, who reportedly agreed to a deal with the Patriots today), the Bears continued rebuilding the position by bringing back a familiar face.
According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, Chicago has agreed to re-sign Elijah Hicks, keeping the former seventh-round pick in the fold.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesBears Bring Back Elijah Hicks
Hicks has quietly carved out a role since arriving in Chicago in 2022. Over four seasons, the California product has appeared in 61 games, making 15 starts, including extended stretches as a starter during the 2023 and 2024 seasons when injuries thinned out the secondary.
His defensive role shrank last season with Byard and Jaquan Brisker locking down the starting jobs and combining to start all 17 games at safety. Hicks logged just 62 defensive snaps in 2025, but his value to the team went well beyond that limited defensive workload.
Where Hicks has consistently made his mark is on special teams, where he has been one of Chicago’s most reliable contributors across all four units.
The Bears have made it clear that special teams remains a priority under this regime, and bringing back players who consistently win those snaps is part of that philosophy. Hicks has been one of those players, combining versatility, toughness, and a willingness to do the less glamorous work that keeps special teams units functioning. His return also follows a similar move involving defensive end Daniel Hardy, another core special teams player who is expected to return on a two-year deal.
© David Banks-USA TODAY SportsFrom a roster-building perspective, Hicks’ re-signing gives the Bears valuable depth at safety while the position continues to evolve around Bryant’s arrival and Brisker’s future. Hicks has already shown he can step into a defensive role if needed, but his primary value comes as a dependable rotational defensive back and core special teams presence.
In other words, he’s the type of player teams like to keep around, the kind who can fill multiple roles, step into the lineup if injuries strike, and consistently contribute in phases of the game that often decide field position and momentum.
With Bryant expected to headline the safety additions this offseason, Hicks’ return helps stabilize the depth chart and ensures the Bears maintain one of the quieter but important strengths of their roster: a special teams unit filled with experienced, reliable contributors.
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