The Chicago Bears have three defensive players worthy of recognition with Pro Bowl voting now open to the fans
Last year, the Chicago Bears sent two players to Orlando to take part in the 2023 Pro Bowl games in defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.There's good reason to believe the Bears increase that number this time around with all worthy players coming from the defensive side of the ball.Quite frankly, the slow […]
Last year, the Chicago Bears sent two players to Orlando to take part in the 2023 Pro Bowl games in defensive end Montez Sweat and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
There's good reason to believe the Bears increase that number this time around with all worthy players coming from the defensive side of the ball.
Quite frankly, the slow start to the Bears' offense likely means no one from that side of the ball will make the cut, outside of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, but three of the team's defensive players definitely deserve to make it this year if the fans vote them in. Here are those three players.
CB Jaylon Johnson
For the second year in a row, Johnson looks like one of the top cornerbacks in the league and should be treated like it. The fans finally got it right last year sending Johnson to the Pro Bowl but the media overlooked him as a first-team All-Pro. No one should be making that mistake again.
Through the first 12 weeks of the season, Johnson has allowed a 69.3 passer rating in coverage, which ranks 6th among cornerbacks with 350+ coverage snaps. His 55.6 reception percentage ranks 4th among cornerbacks in that same sample size.
He's once again been a lock down player at his position throughout the majority of the season and is deserving of his flowers.
DT Gervon Dexter Sr.
Gervon Dexter, the Bears' second-year defensive tackle, has been a man on a mission since the end of his rookie campaign. Dexter returned to the team this summer in the best shape of his life and it's translated exceptionally well on the field.
Dexter has been a menace to opposing offenses during the first 11 games of the season for the Bears. He currently is tied for a team-high with five sacks and 33 total pressures while adding 11 QB hits and two batted passes.
Among defensive tackles in the NFC, Dexter ranks first in QB hits, tied for fifth in total sacks, and fourth in pass rush productivity via Pro Football Focus.
S Kevin Byard
In his first year with the Chicago Bears, veteran safety Kevin Byard is looking for his third career Pro Bowl nod and should be in line for one if his play continues to elevate.
Byard's impact on the Bears' secondary has been clearly evident this season, especially after being without Jaquan Brisker for the majority of the season.
Byard's 80.0 PFF defense grade ranks seventh among all NFC safeties while being second with 63 tackles. In coverage, Byard has allowed just one touchdown with one interception and three pass breakups on 26 targets.
Fans can fill out their Pro Bowl ballots and vote for their favorite Bears' players by using this link.
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