One of the Chicago Bears' greatest strengths quickly turned into a pain point as training camp rolled around. What was supposed to be a strong secondary didn't take long to endure a handful of giant, red question marks.
That's why Jaylon Johnson's performance against the Cincinnati Bengals in the team's joint practice was so significant.
Seeing Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase visibly frustrated, at times, and giving kudos to Johnson after the practice for his aggressiveness was more than a much-needed breath of fresh air.
It gave Bears fans hope. It gave them a reason to step off the ledge. And if it didn't, let me try to help even further.
Jaylon Johnson's reps against Ja'Marr Chase are only the beginning to Bears fans believing again
When the Kyler Gordon situation started to look even worse and as though it might never get better, all Bears fans had to come to the realization that the starting slot cornerback was probably going to be somebody else. That was just one truth we had to confront, plain and simple.
But, when Coby Bryant went down and is now expected to miss the whole season (or the majority), things started to feel even worse.
Now, you've got two uber-talented starters who very likely won't see the field for a long time (if ever, for Gordon).
So, we're left with a Pro Bowl corner in Johnson, an always hot-and-cold Tyrique Stevenson and a high-profiled rookie in Dillon Thieneman as the remaining starters. Who will take the role of Gordon and Bryant, on a full-time basis, remains to be seen.
Things may look bleak. At least, they look worse than they did a few short months ago.
But take into consideration Johnson's ability to lock down a wide receiver like Chase. To be perfectly fair, there were a couple of times when Chase was reportedly open during that joint practice, and that's not a worry whatsoever. Arguably the best wideout in the game is going to win some battles. That'll happen.
If Johnson is truly back to form, though, and he's fully healthy, that gives this secondary such a wonderful weapon at their disposal. The Bears won't have to worry all that much about an opposing offense's top wide receiver. Johnson is healthy, and he's up to the challenge. That is massive.
Now, what about the rest of the guys?
Don't forget Stevenson is in a contract year. We know what that means. He has a chance to make some serious cash next offseason. If you don't think we're about to see the best version of 29 we've seen to date, then you've got some eye-opening to do.
I do believe, truly, that the outside corners are going to be a huge strength; both of them.
Now, what about Thieneman? What about his running mate and whomever ends up in the slot?
That's where I trust Dennis Allen and Al Harris. Allen's specialty has always been defensive backs. And you've got Harris, who is as good as it gets as a defensive backs coach. Do not forget these important details when worrying about who is going to fill in the cracks.
And do not forget: coaching matters.
We might still be worrying about the pass rush, and for good reason. But, as a fan, I do not hesitate, one bit, to fully trust Allen and Harris with this secondary.
Thieneman was drafted highly for a reason. We not only saw the raw athleticism, but his college tape proves the fact that he's going to be a good player in this league. It is only a matter of time before comfort sets in, and he's able to showcase that fact. I am not worried about the rook; not in the least bit.
Xavier Woods might be the out-of-nowhere signing this team needed. His experience, having started over 120 games in his career? That's something Allen can work with. Having a seasoned veteran opposite Thieneman, with Allen's tutelage, is an advantage. They'll miss Bryant, but I think Woods is precisely what this team needed, and at just the right time.
Now for the slot. That remains a bigger question mark. But you can bet whoever it is, Allen is going to use aggressively. Even though it's probably not Gordon, whoever the starter is will be blitzing. They'll be in the backfield.
Allen's scheme is going to prevail. His expertise is going to prevail. You can rest assured it will.
Maybe it's the rookie Malik Muhammad. Maybe it's Cam Lewis. We don't fully know just yet.
But, what we do know is that there is far less reason for panic after seeing that the top Bears defensive back, Jaylon Johnson, looks like he's fully back to himself now.
Read more: Bears' growing frustration with Kyler Gordon is nearing a breaking point
Trust Johnson. Trust the coaching.
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