The Bears have had plenty to sort through after their Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and that chaos has spilled over into the wider picture for former Chicago players too. While Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent injuries have dominated the conversation, a few ex-Bears are quietly-or not so quietly-making their presence felt elsewhere through the first two weeks.
Gervon Dexter Sr. is one of the clearest examples. The defensive tackle is thriving with the Atlanta Falcons, and the raw production is hard to ignore.
Through two games, Dexter has eight quarterback pressures, tied for second among all interior defensive linemen. He also has a sack and six quarterback hurries.
Atlanta has been down and the Falcons haven’t been good, but Dexter’s play is the kind that makes you wonder whether Chicago could use him right now.
Jaquan Brisker’s early run with the Pittsburgh Steelers has looked more familiar in the most literal sense. He opened the season with an interception and seemed to have a strong Week 1, but Week 2 brought a much rougher outing.
He gave up four receptions on four targets in coverage for 68 yards. As Tommy Jaggi put it, "He's been as advertised so far."
The takeaway from the early stretch is simple: Brisker is still Brisker.
Olamide Zaccheaus is another former Bear whose usage has changed since leaving Chicago. Last season, he was on the field far more than Bears fans thought he should be, and the drops were a constant annoyance.
In Atlanta this year, the Falcons appear to have adjusted. Zaccheaus has played only 37 percent of the snaps and has just two catches on four targets for eight yards.
Tremaine Edmunds, meanwhile, has continued to look like the same player Bears fans remember. Now with the New York Giants, he has allowed all nine targets thrown his way to be completed, and one of those catches went for a touchdown.
David Montgomery has had to grind through a difficult environment in Houston. The Texans’ offensive line remains a major talking point, and while C.J.
Stroud has looked improved through two games, the run game has not gotten much help. Montgomery has 70 rushing yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns on the ground.
He has also added five receptions for 33 yards and another score. He’ll keep carrying the load in Houston, but the blocking hasn’t given him much room to work with so far.
Keenan Allen’s stint with the Bears was only one season, but he mattered in that 2024 offense during a forgettable year. His start with the Indianapolis Colts has been much quieter. Through two games, Allen has seven receptions on 11 targets for 37 yards and no touchdowns, and the early returns have not been encouraging.
Coleman Shelton has found a much cleaner situation with the Los Angeles Rams. PFF may not be impressed through two games, but the numbers in the box score are tidy: zero penalties, zero sacks allowed and only one pressure allowed. Playing in Sean McVay’s offense with a smart quarterback behind him has its advantages.
Khyiris Tonga remains one of the more frustrating what-ifs from recent Bears decisions. Chicago let him go instead of continuing to develop him, and now with the Kansas City Chiefs, he’s been a solid part of their defensive front. His strength and effort still jump off the screen, and Kansas City has even used him at fullback at times, which has added another layer to his value.
In Other News...
Bears Quarterback Crisis Could Force A Costly Outside Fix
Injury trouble at quarterback has left the Bears in a precarious spot, with Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent both sidelined and Case Keenum standing as the only available option. For a team trying to keep its offensive plans intact, that kind of depth chart can turn a temporary setback into a much bigger roster question in a hurry.
One name now surfacing in the conversation is Tanner McKee, the Eagles backup who has drawn trade speculation after flashing potential in limited action. Nothing official has materialized, and there is no sign yet of a deal, but the Bears need is obvious enough that any outside fix would likely come at a real cost if they decide to pursue one. [Read more 🡒]
Kyler Gordon Situation Is Starting To Look Like A Bears Problem
Kyler Gordons calf injury has gone from a routine absence to a lingering issue the Bears can no longer easily brush past. The highest-paid slot cornerback on the roster has played only five games since signing his contract, and his rehab has kept him away from the teams facilities while Chicago waits for a clearer sign of progress.
Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles have both offered only limited information about where things stand, and Johnson did not give much away when asked about Gordon at a recent press conference. For a defense that expected Gordon to be a central piece, the uncertainty now matters almost as much as the injury itself, especially with no clear answer yet on when he might practice again or whether his return will come soon at all. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylon Johnson Is Becoming A Serious Problem For Chicagos Defense
Jaylon Johnson arrived in 2024 with the kind of long-term contract that usually signals a defense is built around you. After strong seasons before the deal, the Bears expected him to keep functioning as one of the stabilizing pieces in the secondary, the corner who could handle top assignments and help set the tone for the rest of the group.
Instead, injuries and uneven play have put that role in doubt. Johnson managed only seven games last year, and in the first two games of this season he has already been beaten for multiple completions without a pass breakup or interception to show for it, leaving him near the bottom of NFL cornerbacks in PFF ratings and turning one of Chicagos most important defensive bets into an early concern. [Read more 🡒]