Three Chicago Bears starters that are getting slept on way too much heading into training camp
The Chicago Bears are expected to have plenty of attention when the team returns to the practice field for training camp next month. The majority of the starting positions on the Bears' roster have already been established, with only a few battles set to take place to decide the rest of the 53-man roster.Following an […]
The Chicago Bears are expected to have plenty of attention when the team returns to the practice field for training camp next month. The majority of the starting positions on the Bears' roster have already been established, with only a few battles set to take place to decide the rest of the 53-man roster.
Following an overhauled offseason, a lot of the starters (either new or returning) have finally been getting some league-wide recognition. However, these three players in particular are still being heavily underrated going into the 2024 season.
1. S Jaquan Brisker
The player gaining the most attention in the Bears secondary throughout OTAs and minicamp has been newly acquired veteran Kevin Byard. While Byard has made an immediate impact on the unit in his new leadership role, his fellow safety in the backend could be the one due for a breakout campaign in 2024.
After playing alongside Eddie Jackson at the position throughout the first years of his career, Jaquan Brisker's role is about to get much easier with Byard roaming the field next to him. In Byard and Brisker, the Bears have two versatile players that head coach Matt Eberflus can deploy in various coverage schemes, before and after the snap.
Brisker has also been the one to bring the most energy on the practice field facing off against the team's first-team offense. He's the heart and soul of this unit and will be the one to have this unit feeling like a top-tier defense in 2024.
"He's just full of energy, full of a lot of words. I mean, he's always talking," Bears Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson said via ChicagoBears.com. "He's always being competitive, a lot of juice. So just allowing himself to be who he is. I think now it's just continuing to light the stage up as far as his energy and playmaking goes."
2. CB Kyler Gordon
After two seasons in the league, it's time for Kyler Gordon to start earning some respect as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league. Playing out of the slot in 2023, Gordon allowed an 83.6 passer rating in coverage, the fourth-best among cornerbacks with 300+ slot coverage snaps, per PFF.
During mandatory minicamp, Gordon faced his biggest offseason challenge of his career having to line up against veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, who has been known for many years as one of the best slot players in the game.
Battling Allen during minicamp and soon during training camp will allow Gordon to hone his craft against one of the best in the league. Gordon admitted that Allen's release off the line of scrimmage has already been a tough task to face, and all of these days will make him even better in the long run.
"He's gonna keep me disciplined," Gordon explained. He's a quick touch dude as well, got a really good release. He's very efficient with the steps that he takes. So, for me, that makes me have to be even more efficient with my steps. I'm excited to keep battling him and and keep getting better."
3. RB D'Andre Swift
Coming off a career season with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Bears were quick to sign running back D'Andre Swift as soon as the free agency period opened this offseason to give the offense a dual-threat weapon out of the backfield.
With a rookie quarterback at the helm in Caleb Williams, having a dynamic player like Swift to dump the ball down to as a last resort will be incredibly valuable for his progression during the next few years.
Even after setting career-highs in 2023, the national media seems to be disrespecting Swift since landing in Chicago. According to PFF, Swift was the 20th ranked running back in the league and the Bears had the 19th ranked overall backfield. This is after the Bears ranked second in rushing yards and Swift ranked fifth in rushing yards. Swift entering the Bears backfield is going to do wonders in Shane Waldron's offense and it's crazy to see everyone thinking differently so far this offseason.
Four players who have the most to prove at Chicago Bears’ training camp in order to play a big role in 2024
Can these players step up?
