What Does the Bears Cornerback Room Look Like Heading Into the Season?

While the cornerback room may be a strong point for the Bears, there is still a lot of uncertainty. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon lead the way, but the final spot is an open competition. Some of the names returning to the team include Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith, and Josh Blackwell, and newcomers to the team are fifth-round rookie Zah Frazier and Nahshon Wright. There are plenty of storylines present currently. Each of those is sure to make an impact throughout the training camp competition. 

For starters, the lockdown corner leading the way has its question marks. Johnson is recovering from an injury and is currently not expected to be back for a month. In addition to that, he is also rumored to be looking for a new contract. That leaves Gordon as the lone remaining lock to start. Stevenson is the other returning starter, and while he is very talented, he has had issues with staying focused. The prime example of this is when he was taunting fans mid-play on the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders this past year. His talent, as shown by his 12 passes defended and two interceptions, with one being returned for a touchdown, could be enough to keep him starting. 

While Steveson may be the most talented, he is certainly not alone in the competition. Smith played the next most among the competitors, as he started two games this past year. Blackwell played more on special teams, but is still a viable option. Since none of these three are attached to the current coaching staff, they all have that extra incentive to prove themselves. Stevenson has been the talk among many Bears fans as they are unsure what he will bring. Dennis Allen is the perfect fit to try to bring out the more disciplined side. While Steveson and Smith may carry the most experience, it is hard to ignore the rest of the competitors. 

Among the newcomers, Wright, who has appeared in 33 games in his career, has been the most impressive so far. He has been starting with the first team defense so far. Fazier's talent can not be ignored. He is also the only one who has been a draft investment under the new staff, which can potentially give him an extra boost for the job. The Bears certainly hope Johnson is healthy before the season, as his talent can not be replaced. However, this competition seems to leave them with plenty of options to fill out the starting secondary.