Jaylon Johnson gave the Bears exactly the kind of jolt their secondary needed at joint practice against the Bengals.
With Chicago’s defensive back room already dealing with some real uncertainty, Johnson’s work against Ja’Marr Chase stood out. Chase was visibly frustrated at times, and after practice he also gave Johnson credit for how aggressive he was.
For Bears fans, that kind of showing from the team’s top corner was more than a nice moment. It was a reason to breathe again.
That matters because the questions around this group have piled up fast. Kyler Gordon’s situation has gotten so concerning that it increasingly looks like Chicago will need someone else to handle the starting slot role.
Then Coby Bryant went down and is now expected to miss the whole season, or at least most of it. Suddenly, two talented starters are likely out of the picture for a long stretch, if not longer in Gordon’s case.
So what’s left?
A Pro Bowl corner in Johnson, an up-and-down Tyrique Stevenson, and rookie Dillon Thieneman. The Bears still have to figure out who fills the openings left by Gordon and Bryant on a full-time basis, and that part is far from settled.
That’s why Johnson looking like himself again carries so much weight. If he’s healthy and back in form, Chicago has a real answer for an opposing offense’s top receiver. Chase is going to win some reps - that’s what elite wideouts do - but Johnson being able to hold his own changes the feel of the entire secondary.
Stevenson also looms large in all of this, especially with a contract year ahead. That alone makes him a player to watch, and the expectation is that Chicago could get the best version of him yet.
The bigger trust, though, seems to sit with Dennis Allen and Al Harris. Allen has long been known for his work with defensive backs, and Harris has a strong reputation as a DBs coach. With those two guiding the room, there’s a real belief that the Bears can patch together the pieces even with the uncertainty at slot corner and safety.
Thieneman was drafted highly for a reason, and the Bears saw both the athleticism and the college tape that suggested he can be a good player in the league. The expectation is that comfort will come with time.
Xavier Woods could also be a key part of the answer. He has started more than 120 games in his career, and that kind of experience gives Allen something to work with. Put Woods next to Thieneman, and there’s at least a veteran presence to help stabilize things after Bryant’s injury.
The slot is still the biggest unknown. Malik Muhammad could be the answer.
Cam Lewis could be the answer. The Bears don’t know yet.
But whoever ends up there is expected to be used aggressively, with blitzes and backfield pressure part of the plan.
There are still reasons to worry about the pass rush. That hasn’t changed.
But after watching Johnson against Chase, there’s a lot less reason to panic about the secondary. Chicago’s top corner looks like he’s back, and that changes everything.
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