The Bears as stated previously had a hit and miss defense that had a very high ceiling but lacked consistency. As perhaps rookie offensive minded head coach Ben Johnson struggled to adjust with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen also being in year 1 as the defensive coordinator of the Bears as well. Heading into year 2 with those two back in the same roles, the defense will be expected to improve and become more consistent. Not only the coaching of Allen in particular but also the personnel on defense will loom large heading into the 2026 season for the Bears. Here I will do a full analysis of the secondary personnel of the Bears as the 2026 season approaches.
Former 2nd rounder Jaylon Johnson is set to start at the first of the two primary cornerback spots and is a player with an elite ceiling, but who struggles to remain consistent. Johnson has warranted two Pro Bowl selections and one second team All-Pro selection in just six seasons in the NFL. Which included being graded as the second-best overall cornerback in the NFL on one occasion as well taking starter snaps. However, Johnson has also graded in the below average range in terms of an overall defense grade among players at his position on three separate occasions as well, showing his inconsistencies. Perhaps Johnson can come into his own and become more consistent heading into year 2 with Dennis Allen and Ben Johnson.
2026 1st rounder Dillon Thieneman is set to start at the strong safety for the Bears and was a remarkable college player, earning first team All-American honors in 2025 with Oregon. He was a first round pick for a reason but will likely see his rookie growing pains. Given some of the strong depth that the Bears have in their secondary, Allen must believe that Thieneman is ready to be thrown into action as a starter.
Former 4th rounder Coby Bryant is set to start at free safety for the Bears and is a very productive NFL starter. Bryant was a remarkable college player, earning first team All-American honors and receiving the award for being the best defensive back in all of college football during his final year of college. Despite his elite college play he went so low in the draft because he likely played for such a small non-Power-5 football school in Cincinnati. Bryant struggled to start his career but during the past couple of seasons since he has graded in the above average to well above average range among players at his position.
2023 2nd rounder Tyrique Stevenson is set to start at the other primary cornerback spot for the Bears and is the current weak link in the Bears’ starting back-end defense although showing some upside. Stevenson has become notorious for waving at the crowd during a potential game winning Hail Mary that the other team converted largely because of Stevenson’s lack of engagement. Stevenson was drafted pretty highly but graded in the below average range in terms of an overall defense grade in years 1 and 2, before playing well in 2025, grading above average in that department for the first time. It remains to be seen how effective he can be, but if he is not playing well, I imagine he will transition to a reserve role next season for the Bears given some of the electric talent that Chicago currently has in their reserve secondary unit.
2022 2nd rounder Kyler Gordon rounds out the Bears’ starting secondary lineup as he is currently slated to start at the nickel cornerback spot. Gordon showed an elite ceiling in the NFL before having an injury riddled year in 2025. Gordon struggled as a rookie as one would expect, looked solid in year 2, and then was graded as among the premier cornerbacks in the NFL in year 3, before hardly seeing the field due to injury in year 4 in 2025. If Gordon can recapture the form he had prior to his injury, then the Bears will have arguably the top nickel cornerback in the NFL.
From a depth standpoint in the secondary the Bears have perhaps the deepest secondary in the sport as they have several starting caliber if not high-end starting caliber players in their reserve unit. Cornerback Jaylon Jones has played at a borderline elite level in very limited snaps outside of his initial essential rookie action. Safety Cam Lewis has shown a borderline elite ceiling although struggling to stay consistent. 2023 5th round cornerback Terell Smith had a very strong rookie season and then looked elite in limited year 2 snaps. Safety Elijah Hicks has looked very strong in limited snaps outside of his essential rookie NFL action. While finally safety Anthony Johnson Jr has looked strong in very limited snaps outside of his initial essential rookie NFL action as well.
The Bears have perhaps the most talented secondary in the NFL although it does have its question marks. However, the Bears have so much secondary depth that if those questionable young/inconsistent players are not playing well, others could smoothly step into their place. A breakdown of the Bears’ secondary heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
Projected 2026 Bears’ Starting Secondary
LCB – Jaylon Johnson – B+ to A-, A to A+ ceiling, but too inconsistent
SS – Dillon Thieneman – 2026 1st rounder
FS – Coby Bryant – B to B+
RCB – Tyrique Stevenson – C+ to B-, 2023 2nd rounder, has shown improvement, career best year in ’25
NB – Kyler Gordon – B+ to A-
Notable 2026 Bears’ Secondary Reserves
CB – Jaylon Jones – B+ to A- in very limited snaps outside of essential rookie NFL snaps
S – Cam Lewis – C+ to B-, high ceiling, inconsistent
CB – Terell Smith – A to A-, limited snaps
S – Elijah Hicks – B+, limited snaps
S – Anthony Johnson Jr – B in very limited snaps outside of initial NFL action
