Bears add depth at safety by signing Marlen Sewell

The Chicago Bears have signed safety Marlen Sewell, a personnel move aimed at adding depth in a position group that has been dealing with availability issues during training camp, according to Yahoo Sports. The transaction reflects a common preseason priority for NFL teams, using roster spots to ensure reliable options on the back end while starters and key backups sort out health and workload.

Yahoo Sports reported that the Bears made the signing after safety Coby Bryant was sidelined for eight to ten weeks due to his injury. That type of timeline matters because it can reshape the rotation in team drills and preseason snaps, especially for players who need reps to build chemistry and timing across coverages.

The Bears also reportedly face uncertainty with safety Elijah Hicks, who remains on the PUP list. When a player begins camp on PUP, it often limits practice participation and slows the team’s ability to evaluate that player’s fit in the defensive scheme during the most intensive portion of the offseason calendar.

Against that backdrop, adding Sewell gives Chicago another body for camp work and adds flexibility to the safety group in practice and preseason. Even when injured players are expected back later, the immediate need is straightforward: the defense can’t afford to have too many gaps in live-action work, where timing, communication, and tackling reps are tested.

Sewell’s signing also indicates that the Bears are actively managing the depth chart, rather than waiting for injured players to return before making adjustments. In preseason, teams typically look for reliable work habits and scheme understanding, because depth safeties often earn roles that go beyond just special teams, especially in subpackages.

For the Bears, the next key question is how the safety rotation looks as Bryant’s timetable progresses and as Hicks remains on the PUP list. Chicago will likely look to Sewell to contribute quickly, whether that means taking reps with the second unit, supporting coverage rotations, or providing dependable depth that can absorb snaps if availability changes.

As training camp continues, watch for how the Bears distribute practice reps among their healthy safeties and how quickly Sewell is integrated into the defensive communication structure. The signing is less about a single-game impact and more about ensuring the safety room stays functional through the final stretch of the preseason and into the early season.

Overall, the Bears’ decision to sign Sewell fits the practical reality of August football. With Bryant’s recovery window and Hicks’ PUP status shaping the situation, Chicago’s best move is adding insurance now, so the defense does not lose valuable learning time while players work back to full participation.