Xavier Woods was signed by the Bears during training camp after their big free-agent acquisition, safety Coby Bryant, suffered a knee injury. Woods was released after one year of a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans, after being limited to just 10 games in 2025 with a hamstring injury. Even when healthy, Woods struggled to have his usual impact, registering 39 tackles, three passes defended and two interceptions in 11 games. His 25% missed tackle rate in 2025 was also more than double his career average (12.0%). Despite that, Woods is expected to serve as a starting safety next to talented rookie Dillon Thieneman, providing a veteran presence on the backend. Woods can play as both a deep safety and box defender, which allows the Bears to move Thieneman and Woods around the formations to confuse opposing offenses. Woods' best days are behind him, but he can still provide average safety play in 2026.