Can the Bears Secondary Emerge as the Strength of the Team in 2026?
The Bears enter the 2026 season with growing expectations on defense. Although much of the focus has been on the offense, the secondary remains an intriguing area that could quietly become the team's strength. Over the last few seasons, Chicago has continued to build talent and depth across the defensive backfield. With that group now boasting both experience and reliability, it stands out as one of the more dependable units on the roster. Should everything come together, the Bears' secondary is poised to play a major role in the team’s success in 2026.
Last season, it was no secret that the defense was the team's weakest link. The secondary was one of the biggest reasons for this, as they struggled with injuries and couldn't hold up in pass coverage. As a result, the unit saw many players leave in free agency. It became clear that the goal was to get younger and faster. Now, there are plenty of reasons for optimism after their heavy investment in stabilizing the defense.
While there were numerous changes, the returning cornerbacks have the potential to elevate the defense the most. Jaylon Johnson is looking to stay healthy and prove that he is one of the top cornerbacks in the league. Tyrique Stevenson may be in for a career year, entering motivated, healthy, and more familiar with the system. The biggest question mark is around Kyler Gordon. The fact that he is already injured makes it hard to think that the star cornerback can be relied on next season. However, if he can, then his talent is elite and would form a dangerous trio with Johnson and Stevenson.
It can be argued that no position saw as much investment as the safety position. One of the biggest moves that Chicago made in free agency was signing Coby Bryant. The former Seahawks star's flexibility and athleticism align with what Dennis Allen wants on defense. Then, the team doubled down on the position by drafting Dillon Thieneman in the first round, with the hope that he can become their safety of the future. The combination of these two brings new energy and athleticism to the defense that the Bears lacked in 2025.
The biggest issue for the cornerback room is staying healthy; if they do, the sky's the limit given their talent. Chicago has improved its depth, offering insurance in case injuries become a problem like they were in 2025. The safety position is not only one of the best duos that the team has seen in many years, but arguably one of the best in the league. The skill level of Bryant and Thieneman is elite, and they both have high potential to live up to. If everything goes right, the Bears should have no issues in the secondary, which goes a long way toward stabilizing the defense. Improved depth and added athleticism give Chicago the pieces to build a reliable, impactful secondary that could be the team's strength.
