Bears just got the green light to the kick the tires on a potential depth piece, and the best part is that it wouldn’t cost a draft pick
The Chicago Bears are still looking for defensive help and Ryan Poles will have to be selective after the Jeffery Simmons trade. Could the Bears kick the tires on free agent cornerback Nazeeh Johnson.
The Chicago Bears made the big swing last week when the team traded a haul to land All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who will make his debut with the team later tonight against the Seattle Seahawks.
However, even after making that splash, the Bears are still looking around for more defensive help at EDGE and potentially even cornerback. The thing is, the Bears have to be cautious about throwing around draft picks after the big swing they took last week.
Names such as Khalil Mack and Nahshon Wright have still be floating around the Bears, but fans should also pay attention to the name Nazeeh Johnson. A move that wouldn’t require the Bears handing away more draft capital.
Nazeeh Johnson is cleared to play after six-game suspension and Bears already showed interest once
Free agent cornerback Nazeeh Johnson is cleared to play and looking to sign with a team this week after serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy (for using fertility medication). Most notably, Johnson also underwent ankle surgery back in August and has since been cleared for football activities, via NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
This is a player the Bears have already shown interest in once this year. Back in May, Johnson worked out for the Bears (along with a handful of other teams) before signing with the Tennessee Titans. After getting placed on the IR and suspended, the Titans waived Johnson before the season, putting him back on the free agent market.
He’s far from an exciting name, but the Bears need depth at cornerback. Wright is still the top name to watch if the Jets are willing to trade him, and the Bears are actually willing to send a draft pick to New York to bring him back to Chicago. If the Bears would rather hold onto a late Day 3 pick, Johnson is worth kicking the tires on again.
Johnson played 29 games with the Kansas City Chiefs across three seasons, including making six starts in 2024. As a starter, Johnson recorded 43 tackles, one sack, while allowing a 62.5 reception percentage and a 102.4 passer rating in coverage. Granted, in Chicago, he ideally wouldn’t be asked to start.
What the Bears simply need is depth and another player to help on special teams after releasing Nick McCloud. Johnson could provide that as a player that has experience playing corner and has 286 career special teams snaps.
Again, it’s not an eye-catching name or a needle-mover by any means. But, if it helps the Bears bolster the depth without giving up more draft capital, it’s a more worth watching.
