The Chicago Bears defense isn’t perfect. It has certain flaws, but most believe its strength lies in the secondary. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is one of the best in the NFL. Kyler Gordon has emerged as a top nickel corner as well. Kevin Byard remains one of the more dependable safeties in the league. Jaquan Brisker is a playmaker when healthy. It is a talented and diverse group. The arrival of new secondary coach Al Harris only figures to make them better. He is widely regarded as one of the best in the league.
Many people want to know whether this group can get better. Is there something missing? That is what Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog asked a friend inside the league. Initially, the answer was simple: Give them a good pass rush, which hasn’t been the case too often over the past two years. Then things took an interesting turn.
Tell me something you would like to add to the secondary. “A rare question from you that I like. The easy answers are health and pass rush, but I would like to see the whole group play with more aggression. Get up on the line of scrimmage and hit some people. Don’t let guys run free on the shallow cross. They have good players at the safety spot, but do they have a punisher? Do they have someone the receivers fear? I don’t think so.“
Having talent is one thing. Inspiring fear is another. All great defenses have at least one player of that type. The Bears should know this better than anybody.
The Chicago Bears may have that guy. There is one issue.
He can’t stay healthy. Brisker is a tough, physical safety who plays with the aggressive mentality that good enforcers have. Unfortunately, his body hasn’t been able to hold up to that playing style. He missed all but five games last year with a concussion and multiple games in 2022 and 2023 as well. If the same trend holds this year, what the executive said will be accurate. Every great Chicago Bears defense had that violent presence on the back end. It was Richie Petitbon in the 1960s, Gary Fencik in the 1980s, Mike Brown in the 2000s, and Adrian Amos in the 2010s. If Brisker is up to filling that role, it’s a safe assumption the Bears will go looking for it next year after he hits free agency.
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Right, I’ll take the pass rush over an enforcer in the secondary 100% of the time. Enforcers today are 15 yard penalty machines. Cover the guy and make the play. That’s what’s needed from my secondary. But to do that at height y effective way, they need a pass rich forcing off time, off balance, early throws
Winning football just like winning a war requires the ability and willingness to inflict and absorb punishment.
Unfortunately, the Bears so-called enforcer has a concussion problem. He should not absorb that kind of punishment again.
This narrative will be a big issue throughout the season. Fear, insecurity, deception etc., are salient in games, conflict, chess, and life.
When is training camp again? I think the story well has run completely dry.
Fear has its place in football — particularly when the game is played at a truly competitive level by athletes capable and willing to generate (and endure) “car crash” levels of trauma.
That is the one experience that so many “Madden NFL” thumballers who visit this Sports Mockery site, fail to comprehend.
Fearless football players are not uncommon; but neither are those players who can be affected and intimidated.
The Bears have some of both.
Erik, you forgot your footnote reference to “what does the league think about the 2025 Chicago Bears: Welcome to the Secondary”