7 players the Chicago Bears are rebuilding around for 2023 and beyond
By Peter Jurich
Chicago Bears Building Block: Jaylon Johnson, CB
A second-round pick from Utah in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jaylon Johnson has played in 38 games for the Chicago Bears, primarily as a boundary corner covering the number one or two receivers for the opposing offense. Johnson has played well throughout his young career, but there is a case that 2022 has been his best, despite the overall lack of defensive production.
Through 10 games as a starter, Johnson has allowed only 319 yards on 23 completions while being targeted 35 times. This season he has had the worst yards per completion allowed in his career, but he has only let up one touchdown compared to five each of the previous two seasons. Johnson is improving year to year and may be able to become the true lockdown corner that is so coveted in the league today.
Chicago Bears Building Block: Jaquan Brisker, S
The first rookie on this list, Jaquan Brisker has been more immediately effective than most second-round picks are expected to be. Brisker came to Chicago as a day-one starter at the strong safety position and instantly became an impact player for a struggling defense. With 73 total tackles, three sacks, a fumble recovery, and an interception, Brisker has a legitimate shot for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Brisker, unfortunately, suffered a concussion during Week 11’s contest versus the Atlanta Falcons, but if he is able to return to the field of play at some point down the stretch, it will be important for him to continue to make plays on the back end of this questionable defense. Along with Johnson, Brisker can become a part of a young, explosive defensive backfield that could give opposing quarterbacks problems for years to come.
Chicago Bears Building Block: Jack Sanborn, LB
An undrafted rookie from Wisconsin, linebacker Jack Sanborn has not only been one of the most effective players on defense but looks like he legitimately belongs on an NFL defense. Only becoming a starter after the team traded away Roquan Smith at the deadline, Sanborn’s statistics through five games have been shockingly good.
As a starter in five games, Sanborn has recorded 54 tackles, which puts him at nearly 11 tackles per game. Through a seventeen-game season, that would put him at roughly 187 tackles, which for reference would put him first in the league during the 2021 season.
Obviously, the sample size for Sanborn is relatively small, but Sanborn’s production early has been outstanding and he certainly deserves to be in Chicago past 2022.