The Chicago Bears had high expectations for their secondary this season. It featured a great mix of proven veterans (Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson) with promising youngsters (Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson). However, the NFL is an unforgiving sport sometimes. In the first three games of the season, the Bears saw Jackson, Johnson, and Gordon all go down with injuries. That left the secondary both thin and exceedingly young, with rookies Stevenson and Terell Smith getting snaps alongside second-year safeties Brisker and Elijah Hicks.
It was evident how much they lacked a veteran presence on Sunday against the Denver Broncos. They had no answers for Russell Wilson in the 4th quarter. Chicago seems intent on trying to prevent that from happening again. They decided to add more veteran depth. Former 2nd round cornerback Joejuan Williams already arrived a few days ago. Now, 11-year safety Duron Harmon signed with the team as well. He was a key contributor to the New England Patriots’ three most recent Super Bowl titles.
Harmon gives the Chicago Bears more ball skills.
While he lacks size for a safety, he’s survived this long in the NFL thanks to his outstanding playmaking skills. He has two or more interceptions in each of the past six seasons he has played between New England, Detroit, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. So, his talents translate regardless of the system he plays in. Chicago desperately needs more turnovers on defense, having only forced two in four games this season. Harmon can add some of that while also serving as a mentor to some of the younger guys.
This isn’t a complete fix in any way. The Chicago Bears still have several problems on defense that won’t go away. Their pass rush is still bad. The run defense is better but still only average. Nothing about this group can be considered good. Harmon is a bandage on a wound, nothing more. Still, there is no question he can still be a help to them. A couple of interceptions should improve their chances of maybe stealing a win at some point.
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