New free agent signings and one returning player have officially claimed their jersey numbers, sparking excitement and tradition for the upcoming season.
The Chicago Bears needed to make several moves in free agency this offseason after losing several starters.
Two of the biggest losses were safeties, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Byard has reunited with his former head coach, Mike Vrabel, at the New England Patriots, and Brisker has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning to play football in his home state.
Other significant losses this offseason have included Tremaine Edmunds, D.J. Moore, Nahshon Wright and Drew Dalman.
General Manager Ryan Poles went to work, with the biggest signings featuring Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush, Patriots center Garrett Bradbury and Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman Neville Gallimore.
Jedrick Wills Jr., Nephi Sewell, Cam Lewis, Kalif Raymond, Jack Sanborn, Kentavius Street and James Lynch also joined the team.
On Tuesday, the Bears announced the new numbers for many of their free-agent signings, including one for current player Jahdae Walker.
Here are the new numbers, and some significance around each one:
Coby Bryant, 2
As Bears fans know, this is the number that former Bears receiver D.J. Moore wore during his time in the Windy City.
It may be an adjustment to see a safety wear such a low number, but the Bears have their starting safety for 2026. He'll be the free safety on Dennis Allen's defense.
Jahdae Walker, 9
Walker is going from 20 to 9 this year.
He didn't start last season on the active roster, but made the most of his opportunities when he was called up from the practice squad. The undrafted free agent played in nine games with one start in 2025, recording 87 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Walker's biggest touchdown from last season was no doubt the game-tying catch he had against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16.
Devin Bush, 12
If you thought Bryant going with 2 was weird for a safety, imagine Bush wearing No. 12 as a linebacker.
Return specialist Devin Duvernay wore No. 12 last season.
Bush is going to hold down the role that Edmunds had on defense. He'll be the middle linebacker, and is a versatile player who has had a lot of success in pass coverage as well.
Seeing him wear No. 12 could take some getting used to, especially since the last player to use it was return specialist Velus Jones Jr.
Kalif Raymond, 14
Raymond is going to don No. 14 in his first season with the Bears.
The return specialist wore that same number during his stint with the Tennessee Titans from 2019-20. It'll be interesting to see how Ben Johnson uses him as a receiver as well.
Cam Lewis, 21
The former Buffalo Bills defensive back is going to wear No. 21 for the Bears in 2026.
He is currently projected to start alongside Bryant at safety. Chicago may try to find another safety in the 2026 NFL Draft, however.
Nephi Sewell, 45
Two of the Sewell brothers are now playing for the Bears.
Noah and Nephi Sewell are now on the same team. Nephi is going to wear No. 45, which is one number away from his brother's number, 44. Noah and Nephi are the brothers of Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell.
The Bears signed Nephi to a futures contract back in January.
Jack Sanborn, 57
Sanborn is back after spending last season with the Dallas Cowboys.
He will wear No. 57 and is expected to be used as a rotational linebacker, with Bush, Sewell, and T.J. Edwards expected to start once all three are fully healed from their injuries.
Sanborn was an undrafted free agent signing out of Wisconsin in 2022.
Garrett Bradbury, 67
Bradbury will have the tough task of replacing Dalman.
However, he is well-equipped for the task after what he did last season for the Patriots. Bradbury will wear No. 67 and is a viable starter in this league. He played in all 17 regular-season games and recorded 1,070 snaps, which was 98% of the team's offensive snaps.
Bradbury continued that consistency into the postseason, being on the field for all the Patriots' snaps on offense. He also didn't commit a single penalty in the playoffs.
Jedrick Wills Jr., 71
Wills joined the Bears after spending the entirety of his NFL career with the Browns.
He has chosen No. 71 and is expected to be a rotational piece at left tackle. The No. 71 jersey was previously worn by offensive tackle Ryan Bates, who left the team in free agency.
Neville Gallimore, 90
Gallimore has decided to go with No. 90.
He joined the team after spending last season with the Colts and is going to rotate in at defensive tackle. He recorded 38 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and four TFLs.
He is going to be the backup behind Gervon Dexter on the interior of the defensive line as it stands.
Kentavius Street, 93
Street is another player on the roster with ties to Allen.
He played for the New Orleans Saints in 2022 and is wearing No. 93, the number he wore with the Atlanta Falcons over the last three seasons.
Like Gallimore, he's projected to be a rotational piece at defensive tackle. He'll back up Grady Jarrett.
James Lynch, 97
Last but not least is Lynch, who'll be wearing No. 97.
Lynch will get to keep the number he wore during his time with the Titans from 2024-25. Lynch is another rotational player at defensive tackle and is projected to be behind Gallimore on the same side as Dexter.