Bears roster comparison: 2019 vs. 2020 defense, special teams

Let’s take a look, position by position, at how the Bears defense and special teams in 2020 compares to 2019.

Cornerbacks

Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
2019 2020
Kyle Fuller Kyle Fuller
Prince Amukamara Jaylon Johnson
Buster Skrine Buster Skrine
Kevin Toliver II Kevin Toliver II
Duke Shelley Artie Burns
John Franklin III Tre Roberson
Stephen Denmark Kindle Vildor
Clifton Duck Duke Shelley
Michael Joseph Stephen Denmark
Michael Joseph
Xavier Crawford

Chicago returned its starting cornerbacks from what was an impressive 2018 season in Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara in 2019. While production ultimately dipped as a whole — in terms of takeaways — Fuller led the Bears with three interceptions, earning him his second straight Pro Bowl nod. Buster Skrine, a free-agent acquisition last offseason, had a solid first season in Chicago. Amukamara had his share of struggles, but he remained solid at right cornerback. Ultimately, the Bears parted ways with Amukamara to free up salary cap space, and they faced a daunting task of finding his replacement.

Heading into 2020, the Bears added a ton of depth at cornerback — players that could compete for the starting cornerback job opposite Fuller. While second-round rookie Jaylon Johnson figures to be the favorite to land that starting spot, he will have to compete against third-year corner Kevin Toliver and newcomers Artie Burns and Tre Roberson. General manager Ryan Pace has said that you can’t have too many cornerbacks, which certainly explains why the cornerback group rivals the tight ends group in size.

Advantage: 2020

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