Bears’ Secondary Struggles in Loss to Packers, With Nick McCloud’s Play Under the Microscope
With Kyler Gordon ruled out just before kickoff in Week 14, the Chicago Bears were counting on their remaining defensive backs to step up against a surging Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers. Instead, the secondary faltered in key moments, giving up 220 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 loss that stung more than just the scoreboard.
And while the entire unit had its share of breakdowns, one name stood out - for all the wrong reasons.
Nick McCloud’s Struggles Continue
Nick McCloud, who joined the Bears on a one-year deal this offseason, has become a recurring concern in the Bears’ defensive backfield. Sunday’s performance added more fuel to that fire.
Targeted four times, McCloud allowed two completions for 33 yards. That might not seem catastrophic in isolation, but it’s part of a larger, troubling pattern.
Through Week 14, McCloud has now allowed 24 completions on 30 targets - an 80% completion rate - for 319 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterbacks targeting him are posting a near-perfect 150.6 passer rating. Those numbers aren’t just bad; they’re game-altering liabilities, especially for a team trying to stay in the playoff hunt.
His most glaring moment came late in the fourth quarter. With the game on the line and the Packers facing third-and-goal, McCloud had a shot to stop Josh Jacobs short of the end zone.
Instead, his momentum carried him into Jacobs, who tumbled into the end zone for what turned out to be the game-winning score. It was the kind of play that defines a game - and not in a good way for the Bears.
Running Out of Time - and Options
McCloud’s inconsistency isn’t new, but earlier in the season, the Bears had enough depth and time to work around it. That’s no longer the case. With the playoffs looming and every snap carrying postseason implications, Chicago can’t afford to hope for a sudden turnaround.
The problem? They may not have much of a choice.
The Bears’ cornerback room has been decimated by injuries. Tyrique Stevenson, Terrell Smith, and rookie Zah Frazier are all sidelined.
Gordon’s last-minute scratch only compounded the issue. That leaves McCloud as one of the few healthy bodies left - a situation that’s forcing Chicago to roll the dice on a player who has yet to prove he can consistently hold up in coverage.
A Glimmer of Hope in Week 15?
There is, however, a silver lining on the horizon. The Bears face the Cleveland Browns in Week 15 - a team that has struggled mightily through the air. The Browns rank near the bottom of the league in passing yards per game (174.2, 29th), yards per completion (8.8, 28th), and interceptions per game (0.8, T-23rd).
For McCloud and the Bears’ secondary, it’s a potential get-right game - a chance to regroup, regain confidence, and show they can still be a functional unit when it matters most. But make no mistake: the leash is short, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
What’s Next for McCloud?
McCloud’s future in Chicago could be decided over the next few weeks. Signed to a one-year deal, he was brought in as a depth piece, not a cornerstone. But injuries have thrust him into a bigger role, and so far, the results haven’t been encouraging.
If he can’t clean up the coverage lapses and start making positive plays - or at least stop giving up so many negative ones - it’s hard to see him sticking around beyond Week 18. For now, though, with the Bears still technically in the playoff picture and options limited, he’ll likely continue seeing the field.
The question is: can he turn things around in time to help this defense - and his own career - stay on track? Week 15 might be his best shot yet.