Bears training camp position preview: Havoc-creating cornerbacks

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The Chicago Bears have invested heavily in the cornerback room, and there’s a strong case to be made that it could end up being the strength of the team. That said, they’ll need a few players to live up to expectations for that to happen.

Jaylon Johnson

Jaylon Johnson wasn’t quite the All-Pro caliber player in 2024 that he was the year before. Still, Johnson has long been a solid lower-end No. 1 cornerback or an excellent No. 2, so it’s not a big surprise to see him return to that standard. On the plus side, his ball production remains strong, and if that continues, another breakout year could still happen.

Tyrique Stevenson

Stevenson endured a season he’d likely rather forget. His play on the field was inconsistent, and his immaturity off the field hurt the team with mental errors and avoidable mistakes. Stevenson will need to step up in 2025, especially with talented depth behind him pushing for playing time.

Kyler Gordon

Kyler Gordon has begun to ascend into one of the NFL’s best slot cornerbacks. The Bears rewarded him with a solid contract extension, confident that he’s found his home inside and can thrive there.

Terell Smith

Smith has seen only a limited sample of snaps, but when he’s been on the field, he’s looked just as good — if not better — than Stevenson. If Stevenson continues to struggle, the Bears may be forced to start Smith to see if he can produce over a full workload.

Zah Frazier

The rookie fifth-round pick has intriguing size and speed, but he remains a developmental prospect. That’s not a bad place to be as a fifth cornerback on the depth chart.

Josh Blackwell

Blackwell is the primary backup to Kyler Gordon in the slot. He’s held that job for the past two seasons and is expected to continue in that role this year.

Ameer Speed

The former sixth-round pick has bounced around the league and is now on his third team since entering the NFL in 2023. He finished last season with the Bears and is competing to stick again.

Nick McCloud

McCloud, in the league since 2021, is now with his fourth NFL team. He’s fighting for one of the final roster spots.

Shaun Wade

The 2021 fifth-round pick from Ohio State has yet to find his footing in the NFL despite his potential as a slot corner. He’ll compete for a depth role behind Blackwell.

Nashon Wright

Wright was a third-round pick by Dallas in 2021, but he’s now trying to keep his NFL career alive and land on a practice squad.

Read more: Bears training camp position preview: depth-seeking linebackers

Jeremiah Walker

Walker, an undrafted rookie from Stephen F. Austin, is hoping to impress in camp and earn a spot in the organization.