The Chicago Bears‘ defense has been on the wrong end of positive updates for the past year. They were beset by a dozen injuries last season across all four main position groups. Nowhere more so than the cornerbacks. Jaylon Johnson missed half the season with a core issue. Kyler Gordon only played three games because of several soft tissue problems. This made it easy to forget the team also lost Terell Smith, their promising former 5th round pick, who tore his ACL in the preseason.
So far, the positive news hasn’t returned. Johnson looks healthy again, but Gordon didn’t practice in OTAs or minicamps. The depth situation is looking somewhat iffy. Rookie 4th round pick Malik Muhammad has been getting looks at nickel corner. Tyrique Stevenson, who was benched last season, is the only clear boundary corner they have. Thankfully, that appears no longer the case. Smith posted a video on Instagram that suggests the cornerback is fully recovered from his ACL injury and ready for training camp.
Terell Smith returning couldn’t be better timed.
They missed him a lot last season. While Naishon Wright emerged as an unlikely hero for the Bears, the pass defense was still weak on the back end too often. Though not a star, Smith had proven to be dependable when given opportunities. He played quite well in 2024, allowing just a 72.4 passer rating when targeted. Last season felt like his prime chance to seize a greater role on defense. That is what made the knee injury such a gut punch. He’d been having a good training camp and preseason.
The good news is the competition hasn’t gotten much stiffer since last year. Wright is gone, as is former 5th round pick Zah Frazier. Right now, Terell Smith is battling Muhammad, Stevenson, and veteran Cam Little for snaps on defense. The smart thing for him to do would be to put in extra work in the slot. Gordon’s ongoing health uncertainty makes that job the most likely to come open at some point. If Smith can show progress in that department, he’ll get more work.
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Urgency will certainly be on his mind.
It isn’t just playing time that Smith will be fighting for. Don’t forget that 2026 represents the last year of his rookie contract. A lot of money is at stake. Putting together a strong season might get him a significant payday in free agency next spring, presuming the Bears don’t decide to retain him. The same goes for Stevenson. That should certainly create a competition with an edge to it. Both young men are playing for their futures. No doubt the coaches hope both will arrive at camp with chips on their shoulders.
Smith is no stranger to being counted out. It took him four years in college before he finally earned a starting job with Minnesota. Rallying from early disappointment is a familiar feeling for him. He’s certainly preparing like someone who knows what’s at stake. His resurgence would be a massive boon for a defense that could use one ahead of an uncertain season.
