Bears linked to Steelers DB who played just 100 snaps as Kevin Byard replacement

The Chicago Bears are coming off a massive turnaround season in 2025, winning a playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, nonetheless.

It was a great season, and now in the offseason, the Bears are looking to improve their roster for another playoff run. But that's easier said than done. With negative $5.8 million in cap space, the Bears have some difficult decisions to make.

Amid such a tricky situation, PFF.com's Mason Cameron linked the Bears to a Pittsburgh Steelers free agent safety, Jabrill Peppers, as a cheap replacement for Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker this offseason.

Bears linked to Steelers DB as cheap Byard, Brisker replacement

"The Bears can get Peppers on a short-term, prove-it deal in hopes of recapturing that produciton to address one of their many vacant spots in the secondary, all without breaking the bank," Cameron writes.

While the Bears could still wind up bringing back one of Byard or Brisker, going after a cheap option like Peppers is not a bad idea.

He played just 100 snaps for the Steelers in 2025, making just two starts and playing in 14 games total in a down season.

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Peppers has played with the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots, and, most recently, the Steelers in his nine-year NFL career.

While he might not be the player he once was, Peppers is still a decent option to take a flier on. He's 30 years old and a former first-round pick of the Browns in 2017.

Peppers is a prove-it deal type of player, which fits exactly what the Bears need this offseason to address their defensive backfield without splurging their limited cap space.

While there are ways to clear space, the Bears do need to be careful with how they spend their money this offseason. Adding Peppers on a cheap one-year deal would be a good way to address the safety room without spending too much on it this offseason.

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