The Chicago Bears walked out of Seattle with a win on Monday Night Football in Week 8, but the game also put a spotlight on a problem that could shape their trade deadline plans. The bigger need may not be along the defensive line after all. It might be cornerback.
That room was tested hard against the Seahawks, and the Bears did not come away looking comfortable on the outside. Jaylon Johnson, once a strength, has not looked like himself this season, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba made the most of that in Week 8.
The issue goes beyond one rough matchup, too. Johnson has struggled all year, and trust in him is fading.
Tyrique Stevenson has had an uneven career, so his up-and-down play this season is not exactly a shock. Even so, he only got the start against Seattle because fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad was out with an injury.
Muhammad has already become the Bears’ most dependable corner, but there are still questions there as well. He could eventually hit a rookie wall, and he has already been banged up.
Chicago does have Clark Phillips as depth, but he has not been a trusted option, and the Atlanta Falcons were not interested in keeping him. The one area that looks settled is the slot, where Kyler Gordon gives the Bears stability. Outside, though, the picture is much messier.
That stands in contrast to the edge group, which had looked like a bigger concern earlier. The Bears have already addressed the interior defensive line, and reports say they still have interest in Khalil Mack. But their edge rushers now look more promising than their corners.
Montez Sweat is back from his suspension, and that gave Chicago time to get Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy more comfortable in rotational roles. James Lynch and Shemar Turner also factor in as oversized edge defenders who can help against the run. None of those players are stars, but the group is deeper than expected.
Cornerback is the opposite. The Bears expected that to be a strength, and Week 8 made it clear that it is not.
If Chicago makes a splash before the deadline, that position may be the one to watch. The Bears could still pass on Mack and use their move elsewhere.
Week 8 may have changed the plan.
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