Despite the team's success, the Chicago Bears defense has had plenty of question marks this season. At times, they have kept the Bears competitive. However, opposing offenses have exploited their weaknesses. The biggest weakness is the secondary. Malik Muhammad has been one of the biggest breakout surprises and is operating as the team's top cornerback. Kyler Gordon has returned with a vengeance and is playing at a high level. Unfortunately, 27-year-old cornerback Jaylon Johnson has not seen the same success.
The Bears' 27-year-old cornerback was a star in his prime. It didn’t matter which wide receiver stepped up; Johnson always made it a competitive matchup. As one of the longest-tenured Bears, the former second-round pick has been a crucial leader. In the past few seasons, his play has declined. Many hoped the 27-year-old cornerback would break that trend, but it hasn’t happened.
In 2026, he has struggled to match his previous level of play. The Bears' 27-year-old cornerback has been slow in coverage throughout the season. His tackling has been rough and inconsistent, as receivers break tackles too easily. Johnson has flashed his talent, but not consistently. If Chicago had another quality option, he may be on the bench. This has been extremely disappointing, as the seven-year veteran is one of the team's highest-paid players.
It’s fair to say the struggles are not all his fault. The pass rush is inconsistent, which puts pressure on the secondary. Receivers are extremely talented, and it is hard to cover them for more than a few seconds. The secondary as a whole has struggled. Chicago has been beaten through the air frequently this season. They allow too many explosive plays. The 27-year-old cornerback leads the secondary, but the unit has been inconsistent in 2026.
We still have a long way to go this season, so it may be too early to act like the world is falling apart. Gordon's return should help stabilize the secondary. If Muhammad keeps up his play, then they could have two solid cornerbacks. However, Johnson could be a true difference maker. Few cornerbacks can shut down receivers the way he can. Even with the struggles, the Bears' 27-year-old cornerback remains one of the most talented players on the defense.
Chicago will likely need to examine bringing in another cornerback before the trade deadline. Johnson is a great leader and a talented player, but the Bears need to capitalize on their explosive offense. The former second-round pick is playing not only for his job this season, but potentially his future in Chicago. If the struggles remain, the team could part ways with their 27-year-old cornerback this offseason. Johnson has time to turn things around, but the pressure is on as he looks to remain in the starting lineup.
