Greg Gabriel is checking out the Bears’ position groups one by one, and next up is his look at what may be the best group of corners in the league.
The 2024 Chicago Bears’ cornerback group stands out as one of the best in the league. This unit is characterized by youth, talent, athleticism, and considerable experience, with six players having started NFL games. The oldest member, backup nickel Greg Stroman, is only 28 years old. This group has the potential to stay together for a long time and continue to improve.
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Leading the group is fifth-year player Jaylon Johnson. Last season, Johnson, in a contract year, emerged as one of the top corners in football, recording 36 tackles and a career-high four interceptions. His performance earned him one of the highest salaries among NFL corners. Johnson possesses excellent physical traits, being tall, long, fast, quick, and physical. At 25, his best years are ahead of him.
Opposite Johnson is second-year player Tyrique Stevenson, a second-round pick who started from day one. Despite a slow start, Stevenson improved throughout his rookie season, finishing with 86 tackles, four interceptions, and 16 passes defended. Sharing similar traits with Johnson, Stevenson is tall, long, fast, and very physical. He shows promise of reaching Pro Bowl status even sooner than Johnson did.
The Bears play a nickel or slot corner about 80% of the defensive snaps, requiring a player with unique traits to handle close-to-the-line duties and sometimes function as a third linebacker. Kyler Gordon, selected in the 2022 NFL Draft for this role, fits perfectly. Known for his physicality and big hits in college, Gordon ended last season with 61 tackles and two interceptions. His main concern is durability, having missed seven games over two years. When healthy, he completes a formidable starting corner trio.
The backups are also promising. Last year’s fifth-round pick, Terell Smith, played in 12 games and started four, recording 49 tackles. Smith, considered a draft steal, showcased his talent in the East-West Shrine Game and is seen as a potential solid starter in the league. He is versatile, able to play both inside and outside, with his future likely at the latter position.
Third-year player Jaylon Jones, an undrafted free agent in 2022, has also proven his worth. Despite not being drafted, possibly due to age, Jones started four games as a rookie, displaying solid cover skills and special teams contributions.
Josh Blackwell, another 2022 UDFA, is the smallest but fastest in the group, with a notable vertical and long jump. Although he missed several games last season, Blackwell has shown he can be versatile, playing both inside and outside when healthy.
Greg Stroman Jr., at 28, provides veteran presence. With five career starts and the ability to play both nickel and outside, Stroman has been reliable, particularly when Gordon was injured last year.
Additionally, two undrafted free agents, Reddy Steward from Troy and Leon Jones from Arkansas State, are on the roster, but they have yet to prove themselves in camp and preseason.
Overall, the Bears’ cornerback group is exceptional, combining youth, talent, and skill. All six top players could find playtime elsewhere in the league, making it possible that one of the backups might be traded before the season starts.
