The Chicago Bears have a cornerback problem, and it’s getting harder to ignore by the week.
Jaylon Johnson was supposed to be the answer on the back end, the kind of defender who could erase a top receiver and stabilize the secondary. A couple of years ago, that was the pitch.
He was the guy the Bears could point to and say they had a true lockdown corner. But that version of Johnson feels far away now, and this season has turned him from asset to liability.
The numbers tell the story in plain language. Through seven games, Johnson has allowed 24 catches on 31 targets, a 77.4 percent completion rate against him, along with 445 yards, one touchdown and a passer rating of 124.9.
He has also missed 26.9 percent of his tackles. Pro Football Focus has him 96th among 103 eligible cornerbacks with a 40.9 grade.
With the November 10 trade deadline coming fast, the Bears have a chance to do something about it. Kristian Fulton looks like the ideal target, a starting-caliber corner who has slipped down the depth chart with the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City is high on Nohl Williams and Mansoor Delane, and as long as those two stay healthy, Fulton isn’t going to get much runway.
That’s what makes this so appealing for Chicago. Fulton has been excellent when he has been on the field, but he has barely played when Delane has been available.
Even in limited action, he has allowed just four catches for 18 yards and picked off one pass, despite not even appearing in all six games. He is also set to hit free agency, and the Chiefs have little reason to keep him under these conditions.
For the Bears, the deal makes sense on both sides. They could land a starting-level corner without paying full price, while Kansas City would at least get something back instead of watching Fulton leave for nothing. Fulton would also get the chance to join a Super Bowl contender and step into a bigger role.
Chicago’s defense has held up better than expected overall, but it still isn’t carrying the team the way the offense can. The schedule isn’t getting any friendlier, and the NFC North leaves no room for slip-ups, especially with the Minnesota Vikings still undefeated.
Johnson’s best days in Chicago won’t be forgotten. Bears fans will remember what he was. But right now, he’s not helping, and Ryan Poles needs to treat the secondary like the problem it has become.
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