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ESPN examined some of the biggest Achille’s heels teams are facing heading into the 2020 season, ranking them from teams most likely to least likely to overcome those weaknesses.
As for the Chicago Bears’ biggest weakness, it surprisingly wasn’t quarterback. But it does involve another contested battle in training camp at cornerback. ESPN ranked Chicago’s cornerback situation at No. 3, which makes it among their biggest concerns in the NFL. They projected Buster Skrine to land the starting job opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller.
Achilles’ heel: cornerback
Projected starter: Buster SkrineIn 2018, the Bears had the most fearsome secondary in football. In 2019? Not so much. Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan left town, but even the stars of 2018 took a step backward. Eddie Jackson’s tackling was inconsistent, and the ball hawk intercepted only two passes after taking away six the prior year. Kyle Fuller went from seven picks to three, and his passer rating allowed jumped from 63.7 in 2018 to 102.0 in 2019. No cornerback last season allowed more than Fuller’s 942 yards.
I would expect Fuller to allow fewer yards in 2020, in part because teams won’t throw at him as frequently. The Bears cut Prince Amukamara this offseason and tried to replace him with former Steelers first-rounder Artie Burns, only for the corner to tear his ACL in August. The Bears used a second-round pick on Utah product Jaylon Johnson, but he has been limited after returning from shoulder surgery. The likely Week 1 starter is Skrine, who was the slot corner a year ago and might be stretched on the boundary. Little-used LSU product Kevin Toliver would be next up. The Bears will need Johnson to play like a veteran when he does get on the field to avoid a barrage of targets to the left side.
The Bears have had brutal luck at cornerback this offseason, losing two of their three contenders at starting cornerback to injury. Tre Roberson broke his foot in preparation for the season while Artie Burns, just one day after taking opening snaps with the first team defense, suffered a torn ACL.
That left second-round rookie Jaylon Johnson and Kevin Toliver to battle for the starting job. But Skrine, who has played nickel back for the Bears, is certainly in the mix on the outside. He’s seen a fair share of looks at right cornerback in the base 3-4 defense and rotates inside to the slot in nickel personnel with Toliver taking the right corner spot.
The hope is that Johnson will become the No. 2 guy opposite Fuller. But Johnson has been limited in training camp as he recovers from shoulder surgery. He’s not expected to see action early, but Johnson does have potential to make an impact in his rookie season.
While there isn’t much concern about Chicago’s defense heading into this season, it’s not without its concerns. And cornerback is no doubt the biggest.
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