The Chicago Bears didn’t play a clean game on Sunday night. That’s fine. Things get messy sometimes. You’d rather the offense not turn it over 5 times, but it happens. Thankfully, the Bears were treated to an excellent performance from their defense, which allowed just 24 points despite those turnovers. Much of this was thanks to contributions from its star players like Jeffery Simmons (sack), Jaylon Johnson (pick-six), and Devin Bush (4th-and-1 stop). However, they also received help from unexpected sources. By far the most surprising was Shemar Turner.
Chicago’s former 2nd-round pick returned a few weeks ago after rehabbing his torn ACL from last season. Since then, people haven’t heard much from him. Part of it was limited opportunities, and another part was not making many impact plays. Fans stopped paying attention after a while. Maybe that helped him focus. Or maybe Simmons’ arrival gave him a jolt. Whatever the case may be, Turner delivered his best performance to date in a Bears uniform, and it was multi-faceted.
Shemar Turner played a smart football game.
He wasn’t overcome with the need to make a play. Throughout the action, he looked like somebody who played with good control, sticking to his responsibilities. In this case, he engages with the tight end while keeping his eyes up. He quickly realizes that Tampa Bay has a screen called to that exact tight end. Turner wisely stops his forward momentum and traces where Baker Mayfield’s eyes are tracking, realizing his guy is the target. Mayfield realizes he has nothing and is forced to dirt the ball. If Turner keeps plowing forward on that play, Tampa has the blocks set up for a big gain.
It showed up against the run too.
Later in the game, Tampa Bay again decides to put a tight end on Shemar Turner. Once again, he makes them pay for it. They call an outside right off the right end with the left guard pulling to help. The problem is, Turner immediately stacked the tight end up, forcing Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell to retreat behind the guard as he moved right. That loss of momentum allows the defense to rally. Turner then shifts the point of attack to his left to keep any lane from opening, and the Bears rally to allow only 2 yards. That is a textbook rep for the young defensive end.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
Turner was then rewarded for his efforts.
His biggest play of the game came when he once again found himself blocked by a tight end. Once again, he controlled the rep from start to finish. This time he was the beneficiary of a well-crafted blitz by Dennis Allen. Linebacker Devin Bush burst through a gap created as the right tackle moved to double-team Jeffery Simmons. Mayfield is forced to evade, juking to his right. Turner at that point sheds the tight end and cleans it up for his first career sack. Mind you, he only had 3 pass rush reps all night. Taking advantage of one to drop the QB is efficient work.
None of this is to say Turner has arrived. Not even close. However, after months of assuming the pick to acquire him was wasted, it feels like he took a step in the right direction. This time of game should build his confidence moving forward. That only serves the Bears’ defense well in the long term.
