After a miserable week in the Chicago Bears' secondary in their 30-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, things are feeling a little bit different going into their Week 9 showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bears got back cornerback Tyrique Stevenson this past week after missing the Ravens game with his shoulder injury. Chicago also signed safety-turned-slot corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson to help a banged-up secondary without Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Terell Smith.
For Bears head coach Ben Johnson, he's noticed something different with Stevenson, Gardner-Johnson, and safety Jaquan Brisker's personalities all together in one secondary.
"The first thing I noticed, not just about Tyrique, but about the whole secondary is they're a little bit louder right now. Brisker, CJ and Tyrique out there all at the same time ... So. I hear them. He looks like his normal self. I'm excited to see that group compete here this weekend."
Bears secondary might have a bit more swagger than fans have seen in 2025
Stevenson has played at a different level in 2025 as he's playing the best football of his career. Pro Football Focus has graded Stevenson as the sixth-highest cornerback in the NFL out of 113 cornerbacks with a grade of 76.2. He has five pass breakups and one interception with only 13 receptions allowed.
Gardner-Johnson possesses the coverage skills necessary to play in the slot, having recorded six interceptions over his two-season career. He's familiar with Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme and knows his expectations of what is needed.
There are no issues with safety, as Kevin Byard and Brisker are two of the best safety duos in the NFL. Byard's veteran leadership and Brisker's swagger as a playmaker make them a perfect combo.
Don't sleep on Nahshon Wright, who has done a masterful job of playing that CB2 role with two interceptions on the season. The Bears were lucky to have the kind of depth in the secondary they have had, thanks to Wright stepping up.
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Chicago's secondary has been far from perfect this year, but it feels like they have weathered the storm well enough to remain competitive. Now, they have their biggest challenge of the season with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the other side for the Bengals.