Bears anticipate getting a key playmaker back for Week 2, but the challenge ahead is still massive for Chicago’s entire secondary
It’ll need to be all hands on deck.
The Chicago Bears are hoping to get some valuable starters back on the defensive side of the ball in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions.
In the regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, the Bears were without three starters Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, nickel Kyler Gordon, and linebacker T.J. Edwards.
While talking with reporters on Thursday, Johnson noted he anticipates playing in Week 2 against the Lions and was listed again as a full participant on the injury report. Edwards was listed as limited for the second day in a row while Gordon did not participate.
While having all three back would be ideal scenario, the return of Johnson would easily bring the biggest boost for the defense.
Jaylon Johnson’s return in Week 2 would be huge for the upcoming matchup
“It’d be big,” Byard added of Johnson’s return. “Jaylon is one of the best, if not the best corner in the league. He’s a shutdown corner. You can just put him on their top receiver, and you don’t have to worry about him. He’s a leader on our defense as well. He brings a certain swagger, personality to our huddle, our defense and our team. So obviously if you can get a guy like him back, it’s huge for us.”
In terms of being put on a team’s top receiver, something the Bears envision for Johnson in 2025 under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s system, Chicago will have to weigh which weapon to put Johnson against in this matchup between Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
“St. Brown is a helluva player and they use him in a lot of different ways. He’s an incredible route runner, got great savviness in terms of how he runs his routes. Which makes that a challenge” Allen explained on Thursday. “And then certainly Jameson, with his speed, becomes challenging. Especially on the downfield throws or the throws where he’s trying to run across the field. Being able to run with him is challenging.”
The last time the Bears faced in the Lions in 2024, Johnson allowed just one reception in coverage against St. Brown for four yards. Meanwhile, the rest of the defenders allowed 213 yards and two touchdowns against St. Brown and Williams combined, so the rest of the secondary will have to be ready for the challenge as well.
And, it’s more than just St. Brown and Williams the secondary needs to be prepared for. In that last matchup, tight end Sam LaPorta killed the defense with two reception touchdowns. As for this matchup specifically, the secret weapon for Detroit might be rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
In his regular season debut, TeSlaa caught his first career touchdown in garbage time on a miraculous grab at the side of the end zone. Counting the preseason, TeSlaa has now scored a touchdown in four consecutive games for the Lions offense. Because of that consistency, Detroit’s new offensive coordinator noted this week TeSlaa is a player who’s role will continue to expand going forward.
“The rookie, TeSlaa, he’s a big-bodied receiver that has the ability to make contested catches,” Allen added. “…There’s a lot of weapons that they have and so it’s hard on every single play to think we’re going to be able to take everybody away.”
While the emphasis this week will be on stopping the run against Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Bears secondary will have to be on their toes to avoid any explosive plays as well.
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