2 underrated Bears sleepers who could break out in 2026 NFL season

The Chicago Bears are far from being the once rebuilding curiosity. Of course, most of the attention will naturally gravitate toward Caleb Williams. However, the Bears’ path toward becoming a legitimate contender may ultimately depend on a pair of lesser-known contributors. Every successful team needs unexpected difference-makers, of course. Chicago has at least two intriguing candidates ready to emerge from the shadows. As the 2026 NFL season approaches, edge rusher Austin Booker and defensive back Coby Bryant stand out as the two underrated Bears sleepers who could make a substantial leap. They can help elevate this team deeper into the NFC playoff picture.

Building a stronger foundation

General manager Ryan Poles needed to re-tool and address critical roster pain points. On the open market, the front office prioritized immediate offensive insulation by signing former top-ten pick Jedrick Wills. They also added dynamic wideout Kalif Raymond. In the draft room, the approach leaned heavily toward versatility and raw physical temperament. This was highlighted by the acquisition of defensive back Dillon Thieneman. Poles further reinforced the interior of the trenches by targeting award-winning center Logan Jones and adding the vertical speed of weapon Zavion Thomas. Coupled with a strategic veteran trade for center Garrett Bradbury, it was an aggressive episode in team building that raised the competitive baseline across the entire organization.

Now for the seeleprs who can make an impact in 2026:

DL Austin Booker

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Chicago’s offseason improvements may be Austin Booker. Sure, Montez Sweat remains the headline name on the edge. However, Booker has quietly positioned himself to capitalize on the opportunities created by the attention opposing offenses must dedicate elsewhere.

The appeal is obvious. Booker possesses the type of physical profile teams covet in modern pass rushers. More importantly, he now enters a defensive environment specifically designed to create favorable one-on-one matchups.

With Sweat commanding double teams and Jarrett creating interior disruption, offenses will be forced to make difficult protection choices. Those decisions often leave secondary rushers isolated against individual blockers. For Booker, that could be the difference between being a rotational contributor and becoming a legitimate breakout performer.

What makes this projection particularly compelling is the role he is likely to occupy. Chicago’s defensive staff does not need Booker to become a double-digit sack artist overnight. Instead, they need him to convert pressures into game-changing plays. If he can provide that complementary rush opposite Sweat, the Bears’ defense suddenly becomes far more difficult to handle.

FS Coby Bryant

While Booker could emerge as a disruptive force up front, Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant may become one of the most valuable hidden pieces in Chicago’s secondary.

Bryant’s versatility gives the defense options that many teams simply do not possess. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to align in different spots across the defensive backfield. That adaptability could become especially valuable within a defense that already features established outside corners.

With Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson handling perimeter assignments, opposing quarterbacks may choose to attack the middle areas of the field more frequently. That is exactly where Bryant can make his impact felt.

His instincts and ball skills allow him to thrive when plays develop in front of him. Rather than simply preventing completions, Bryant has shown the ability to create turnovers and swing momentum. Those splash plays often separate good defenses from great ones.

The Bears also face a schedule loaded with talented quarterbacks and explosive passing attacks. Against those offenses, defensive backs who can adjust on the fly become invaluable. Bryant’s versatility enables Chicago to disguise coverages more effectively while maintaining structural integrity throughout the defense.

Just as importantly, Bryant enters the season with less pressure than many young defenders face. He does not need to carry the secondary. Instead, he can focus on maximizing the opportunities created by the talent surrounding him.

Why these two sleepers matter

Hidden contributors often determine whether a team reaches its ceiling. The Bears already know what they are getting from established veterans like Sweat, Jarrett, Johnson, and Joe Thuney. The bigger question revolves around which complementary pieces can elevate the roster beyond expectations.

Booker and Bryant represent two of the most intriguing answers. Booker has the chance to become the disruptive secondary pass rusher. Bryant has the versatility and instincts to become a turnover-producing playmaker.

Neither player enters the season carrying superstar expectations. That is precisely why they qualify as sleepers. Yet both possess the skill sets and circumstances necessary to make meaningful leaps in 2026.

If the Bears are going to take the next step from promising contender to legitimate threat, don’t be surprised if Austin Booker and Coby Bryant become two of the biggest reasons why.

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