As Ryan Poles constructed the Bears’ 2024 roster, thanks in part to fortuitous circumstances two years earlier, most expected Chicago’s high-powered offensive additions to win games.
Instead, that offense opened the season against Tennessee flat on its feet. Trailing 17-3 at halftime, the Bears’ preseason hype train emitted a familiar, ominous screech. That’s when Chicago’s defense emerged from that miry clay and the Bears didn’t even need an offensive touchdown in storming back to win, 24-17.
Long before Tyrique Stevenson picked off Will Levis last week, Chicago’s secondary was establishing itself during the latter half of 2023. Then, Poles acquired culture-changing safety Kevin Byard and re-signed Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, ranked No. 1 at his position by Pro Football Focus last season. Along with Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, that Bears secondary is quickly solidifying an identity.
Suddenly, just two years after finishing with the NFL’s worst record, Chicago is preparing for a primetime showdown on Sunday Night Football at Houston (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). And when C.J. Stroud breaks the huddle and gets his first look at those defensive backs, here’s a deep dive into who he’ll see, the players who’ve set the stage for a transformative year in Chicago.
CB Jaylon Johnson: Extending Johnson’s contract was a top priority for many reasons, namely his growth mindset, leadership and relationships with teammates on both sides of the ball. Plus, those who watched Hard Knocks saw his technical knowledge on full display. Last week in the win over Tennessee, Johnson responded to that new contract by breaking up a pass, allowing one catch for minus-2 yards, recording two tackles for loss and securing a game-sealing interception.
CB Tyrique Stevenson: Johnson last season elevated the play of those around him, especially Stevenson, the NFL’s most-targeted player in 2023 (116 pass attempts). Last week, Stevenson picked up where he left off in 2023, and picked off Levis en route to NFC Player of the Week honors, the first interception-return touchdown of his career. Chicago’s second-round selection in the 2023 draft, Stevenson also allowed just three catches on nine targets against the Titans. No doubt, Stevenson’s presence across from Johnson is pivotal in the Bears’ strategic thoughts moving forward.
NB Kyler Gordon: A physical phenome for a nickelback, Gordon got his nickname Spider-Man for good reason. His flexibility, size and speed give him the ability to be where the ball is at all times. Expect Matt Eberflus and Eric Washington to deploy him in blitz packages in addition to normal coverage duties. After a shaky rookie season in 2022, Gordon enters his third year regarded as one of the NFL’s better slot corners.
S Jaquan Brisker: Versatility defines Brisker to a T. A top-rated safety, he was all over the field in 2023 (371 snaps in the box, 289 snaps as a free safety, 150 snaps at the line of scrimmage and 100 snaps in the slot). Clearly, the Bears trust him to make plays wherever he lines up. But he thrives in the box. Look for continued growth from the hard-hitting safety
S Kevin Byard: Three quotes encapsulate what Byard means to Halas Hall. First, after Poles acquired him in March, Byard’s former head coach Mike Mularkey said, “The Bears are better already. I don’t care about your quarterback situation. You have a quarterback on defense that is outstanding.” Second, former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said, “When I arrived, he helped carry a new message into the locker room and establish the mindset and work ethic we were trying to instill throughout the team.” Finally, as a newly elected team captain, Byard himself said this to the Bears after Sunday’s game: “We’re changing the culture around here. But the culture is not defined until we go through adversity and how we respond.”