The Bears’ defense looked vulnerable after Week 1, when Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers passed all over Chicago. Three games later, that first impression has been pushed aside. Dennis Allen’s unit has settled in, and a big reason why is the secondary - especially the safety room, which has turned into one of the more surprising strengths of Chicago’s hot start.
That’s what makes the offseason shuffle at safety look so important now. Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker formed a strong pairing, but both were headed for free agency, and the Bears moved on quickly by bringing in younger help at the position, along with Coby Bryant, who has still not debuted because of injury.
Chicago also lost its prized free agent addition, while Brisker and backup Jonathan Owens were also out of the picture. Even with that kind of turnover, the front office and defensive staff have pieced together a group that produced results almost immediately.
That matters even more with Caleb Williams out of the lineup. Allen’s defense has helped drive back-to-back wins, and the safety play has been central to that run. The fact that the Bears have gotten that kind of production while dealing with so much change - and with Bryant not expected back until mid-December - makes the early returns even more impressive.
At the center of it all is rookie Dillon Thieneman. He has been far better than expected, showing no real signs of the adjustment period many thought he’d need. Thieneman has 19 tackles and an interception, and he looks like the kind of player who could become the engine of the unit.
Chicago’s secondary suddenly feels much more settled, with a safety tandem that could be in place for years. Veteran Xavier Woods has also exceeded realistic expectations, giving the Bears another steady piece.
The next test comes Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, and the Bears will need that same level of production again. Without Williams, Chicago has to lean on its defense, and the safety group now has to keep playing like a strength that nobody saw coming this quickly.
In Other News...
Khalil Mack Reunion Talk Just Raised Bears Fans' Expectations
A familiar name has slipped back into the Bears conversation, and this one carries a little more weight than most. According to reports from The Athletics Jonathan Jones and unnamed league sources, Chicago and the Chargers could be exploring the idea of a trade for edge rusher Khalil Mack, who once starred for the Bears and now finds himself on an expiring contract out in Los Angeles.
The fit is obvious on paper: Chicago has room to work with under the cap and a clear need for help rushing the passer, while the Chargers have not publicly signaled any desire to move Mack. For Bears fans, the possibility is enough to stir up memories of what Mack meant the first time around, even if the discussion is still just that, discussion, with no deal confirmed. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Get A Defensive Return While Another Tough Roster Decision Looms
The Bears got a small defensive boost heading into Week 5, activating linebacker Noah Sewell and elevating running back Zavier Scott from the practice squad as they trimmed and reshaped the game-day roster. The moves arrived alongside a setback on defense, with cornerback Kyler Gordon and defensive end Shemar Turner downgraded to out for the game, a reminder of how quickly the depth chart can shift this time of year.
Sewells return gives Chicago another body to work with on the second level as the Bears try to stay afloat through injuries and weekly roster churn. Gordons situation also puts the front office and coaching staff on a clock, because the Bears are planning to bring him back next week and will need to create a spot for him when that happens. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Packers Game Just Put More Pressure On D'Andre Swift
Kyle Monangais absence for Sundays matchup with Green Bay changes the shape of the Bears backfield in a hurry, and it leaves DAndre Swift in a spot the team clearly expected him to handle. With Monangai ruled out because of turf toe, Swift becomes the primary running back against a division rival in one of the leagues more scrutinized games, the kind where every touch gets magnified and every decision in the run game draws a second look.
The timing matters because the Bears have already shown they believe Swift can be part of their long-term answer, handing him a three-year extension not long ago. Now the pressure shifts from trust on paper to production on the field, with Chicago asking him to carry more of the load in a game that tends to expose soft spots fast. How much the Bears lean on him Sunday will say plenty about where this offense stands when the depth chart gets thin. [Read more 🡒]