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The Chicago Bears sit at 7-4 with one of the best offenses in the league, exploding off the line and sharing the love. However, their defense is one of the worst on the other end of the spectrum, and many experts suspect it has broken down as the pass rush has faltered over the season, maybe due to wear and tear, fatigue, or opposing offenses doing their jobs in preparation. They shook things up in the depth chart and it seems to have had an impact, not limiting opponents like crazy, but generating far more negative plays and impact plays like turnovers than they were. Time will tell if it’s real or just a spark plug that offenses have yet to adjust for. For now, it’s clear the increased (yet still low) success stems from the performances of Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson.
Jaylon Johnson
Now an X-Factor
The Chicago Bears saw their first dev trait game of the cycle, and it was unique. Jaylon Johnson was given X-Factor before the game and told to perform well enough to keep it and get an XP boost. He got Reinforcement, although it never activated, he made a couple of plays. Tough tackles to keep defenders short of the sticks, tight man coverage that didn’t allow a target, but more importantly: Johnson picked up an early fumble and returned it for six. He still sits at an 89 overall, but has a skill point waiting in the wings and is now an elite X-Factor corner.
Team Captain
Before even acquiring X-Factor and cementing himself as the defensive leader, Johnson was a team captain and known as the best player. His leadership is essential to any success for this defense, even as it struggles. He played a vital role in getting Matt Eberflus fired, getting Ben Johnson hired, and then again to shake up the depth chart and see what works. Hopefully, the team can build on the good performance.
Tyrique Stevenson
Dynamic
Before the shakeup occurred, the staff in Chicago already were outspoken that they liked Stevenson as a long-term Bear, despite his antics in the past. So, when an opportunity arose to get him more snaps, he was promoted to starting strong safety over Jaquan Brisker in formations with a front 7+, while still playing outside CB in nickel+ sets. He’s fast and physical, but more importantly he wants to cover and lock down opponents.
Opportunistic
Even when his snaps were limited as just an outside cornerback in nickel+ formations (CB3), he was able to lead the team with three interceptions. However, his new and elevated role has led him to play on a level he has never played at before. Moving around and getting to disguise his coverage has let Tyrique to now reach seven interceptions on the season, gaining one more as an outside corner, but three in the strong safety position as opposed to Brisker’s one all season in the same spot. He is becoming a key player in every spot the defense can get.
