Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: The Secondary

Last season, the Chicago Bears had a struggling secondary. General manager Ryan Poles made it a priority and it could be a strength now.

As the Chicago Bears inch closer to the start of training camp, we’ll preview some of the positions. We’ll look at the players, possible battles, and what to look for in the 2022 season.

First up, the secondary. This is a unit that took a beating last season. Looking at the raw numbers doesn’t give you a clear picture. The Bears ranked third in passing yards allowed. However, a lot of that is due to the great pressure the guys up front put on quarterbacks. The Bears ranked fourth in the league in sacks with 49. They did so despite ranking 21st in blitz percentage (22.6 percent).

Why did the Bears not blitz so much? Because there was no faith in the secondary. As we saw in too many games, the secondary gave up a lot of big plays that resulted in losses. There were a few games in which they were winning late but the opponent ended up with a win because the secondary just could not make any stops.

As a result, general manager Ryan Poles decided to make the secondary a priority. While many fans preferred more attention to the offensive line or wide receivers corps, Poles decided to go with the secondary. He helped those other positions a bit but felt that he could better address them with a bigger salary cap and have some of the draft picks ease in.

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New faces in the secondary

Poles made quite a few additions to the secondary. He spent his top two draft slots on cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker. Those two players should complement the veterans playing alongside them, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and safety Eddie Jackson.

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Johnson has already shown that he has the skills to be one of the top corners in the league. Opposing quarterbacks knew that, so they just decided to not throw his way very much. With the other cornerbacks struggling, there were plenty of other options to attack other than Johnson.

Now, with Gordon, the hope is that Johnson gets more targets. That gives him more opportunities to make big plays.

The same goes with Brisker. In the last couple of seasons, Jackson hasn’t been the same All-Pro player we’ve seen. He hasn’t been able to create the turnovers we’re used to seeing from him.

Now, with Brisker handling the strong safety spot, Jackson is freer to roam and play the ball. He can just concentrate on seeing the ball and getting to it. The last couple of seasons he tried to do too much and it cost him.

Additionally, Poles added Tavon Young. Young is a very good slot corner. The only problem with him is his injury history. However, Thomas Graham Jr, the second-year man who played well whenever he was in a game last season, will be on the roster full-time now.

There is also Kindle Vildor, who will play backup. He struggled a bit last season, but perhaps fewer snaps help his cause. Furthermore, he could be better as a slot instead of an outside cornerback.

Poles also acquired Lamar Jackson (no, not that one) to back up on the outside. The cornerbacks unit could be solid.

In addition to Jackson and Brisker at safety, the Bears have DeAndre Houston-Carson and Dane Cruikshank. There is also seventh-round pick Elijah Hicks. Hicks could end up being a bargain pick.

Poles overhauled the Chicago Bears’ secondary and it could turn from the liability it was last season to an asset this season. The pass rush this season might not be as good as it was last season so the secondary needs to be ready. Rebuilding the defense is a little easier than the offense and improving the secondary bodes well for the rebuild.