The Chicago Bears defensive secondary is believed to be the primary reason why the team's defense could ascend toward being a Top 10 unit in the NFL during the 2024 season.
After a breakout season in 2023, Jaylon Johnson is now viewed as one of the best cornerbacks in the league with second-year cornerback Tyrique Stevenson a candidate to enter the group of top-tier defensive backs in the NFL with a strong sophomore campaign. Even Kyler Gordon, now serving as the Bears' nickel back, has found his footing.
At safety, Jaquan Brisker has emerged as the leader Eddie Jackson once was. Former All-Pro Kevin Byard has filled Jackson's roster spot.
There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the Bears' secondary until you see that Pro Football Focus ranked them in the bottom half of defensive secondaries across the NFL.
"19. CHICAGO BEARSPro Football Focus
The Bears signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a big contract extension this offseason after a career year. They also added safety Kevin Byard, who’s been one of the best safeties in the NFL since entering the league. Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson had their ups and downs in 2023, as did safety Jaquan Brisker, but this unit could be extremely good in 2024 if it plays to its high-end abilities."
Stevenson was picked on during the early portions of the 2023 season and that was mostly due to his aggressiveness in coverage. Towards the end of the season, Stevenson became more calculated with his approach, leading to turnover opportunities for the Bears' offense. For Gordon, it's a matter of staying healthy as injuries stunted his initial performance in the slot last season.
Regardless, the Bears' secondary deserves to be much higher on Pro Football Focus rankings, and the 2024 season will prove how wrong they were.