Tag: Bears cornerback

Bears 2023 NFL draft preview: Where does Chicago stand at CB?

Up next in our Bears draft preview is cornerback, which features a pair of solid young players but could still be improved.

The Chicago Bears have had a busy offseason, working to improve the team following their historic 3-14 run during the 2022 season during general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus’ first year with the team. Now going into Year 2, Poles and Eberflus are working to get the Bears back to relevancy and build a foundation that will eventually lead to postseason success.

Following their free agency frenzy, the Bears are setting their sights towards the 2023 NFL draft, which is quickly approaching. After initially winding up with the No. 1 overall pick, the Bears moved down to No. 9 following a lucrative trade with the Carolina Panthers. They will look to shore up certain positions such as offensive tackle and defensive line that still have glaring holes.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the NFL draft. Up next is cornerback, which appears set at two spots but could still use an upgrade in the draft.

2021 NFL Draft prospect: FSU CB Asante Samuel Jr.

The son of two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time All-Pro Asante Samuel, FSU CB Asante Samuel Jr., has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

The son of two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time All-Pro Asante Samuel, Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. Samuel Jr. made his decision on November 29, after two games were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

Samuel Jr., 20, is coming off his junior season with three interceptions, 30 tackles, six pass deflections, two fumble recovers and one force fumble in eight games. In his three seasons with the Seminoles, Samuel Jr. totaled 93 tackles, 29 pass deflections and four interceptions.

The 5-10, 184 lbs cornerback is projected in many mock drafts to go in the second round, but he has seen his stock increase. Samuel Jr. was trusted by Florida State to stick top wide receivers on opposing teams with no vertical help. He has some experience covering in the slot but has thrived in off-man coverage. Samuel Jr. is aggressive, super quick and has tremendous balance to make tackles. He plays under control and rarely misses on tackles and has limited mental errors.

Samuel Jr. grew up in Sunrise, FL, which was less than 15 minutes away where Bears safety Eddie Jackson grew up. Jackson attended Boyd H. Anderson High School, which was also the high school Asante Samuel and Bears offensive lineman Cody Whitehair attended.

At 5-10, he lacks the prototypical size and length that NFL teams covet. However, with some experience at defending the slot, he does have the same build as Bears cornerback Buster Skrine, who is 5-9, 185 lbs and entering the last year of his contract and potential 2021 cap casualty.

Florida State has generally lacked consistent play and leadership, but Samuel Jr. brought both during his career. Samuel Jr. has now positioned himself as a draft-caliber player with tremendous upside.

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Bears rookie CB Jaylon Johnson confirms he’ll start vs. Lions

Rookie CB Jaylon Johnson has been cleared to fully participate in practice as the Bears prepare for their Week 1 contest against the Lions.

After being limited and held out of team drills during open training camp practices, Chicago Bears rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson has been cleared to fully participate in practice as the Bears prepare for their Week 1 contest against the Detroit Lions.

And it’s a good thing, too, considering that the rookie is going to get the start at right cornerback opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. Johnson was listed as the starting right corner on the Bears’ unofficial depth chart, and he confirmed that he will indeed be starting against the Lions this Sunday.

Johnson managed to accomplish one of his goals for this season, which is starting as a rookie. His other two goals? Win Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Super Bowl championship. Lofty goals to say the least. But getting the start as a rookie is only the start for Johnson.

“I’ve prepared my whole life for this,” the second-round pick told reporters.

Funny enough, Johnson found out that he was starting at cornerback through Twitter.

Johnson will be challenged right out of the starting gate as he’ll face a talented trio of Lions receivers in Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola. And Johnson expects Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford to target him early and often.

“I would expect every quarterback to go after the rookie,” Johnson said.

Johnson has impressed during the short time he was able to practice in training camp, and the Bears certainly feel confident in the rookie as he gets the nod against a potent passing game.

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Bears’ cornerback situation dubbed one of biggest Achille’s heels of 2020

ESPN ranked Chicago’s cornerback situation among the biggest concerns in the NFL heading into the 2020 season.

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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 Skrine

In 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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Bears CB Artie Burns out for season with torn ACL

The Bears have had brutal luck when it comes to cornerbacks this offseason. They’ve now lost Tre Roberson and Artie Burns to injuries.

The Chicago Bears have had brutal luck when it comes to cornerbacks this offseason. After CFL star Tre Roberson broke his foot training for the upcoming season, the Bears have lost another cornerback to injury.

Cornerback Artie Burns tore his ACL during Tuesday’s padded practices, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The injury comes just one day after Burns practiced with the first-team defense opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller.

Burns, who Chicago signed to a one-year prove-it deal this offseason, was looking for a fresh start with the Bears. Now, he’ll be sidelined until 2021.

The attention turns to rookie Jaylon Johnson and veteran Kevin Toliver, who are the next men up. Toliver will likely assume the starting role for now, given he was working with the second team during Monday’s practice.

But that doesn’t mean the second-round rookie out of Utah won’t get a crack at the starting job. Johnson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, was expected to get a chance to make an impact as a rookie. And the Bears will be counting on him to win the starting job perhaps as early as Week 1.

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Bears camp: CB Artie Burns worked with starters in first padded practice

In Chicago’s 1st padded practice of camp, CB Artie Burns took reps with the 1st-team defense, and there wasn’t a lot of Jaylon Johnson.

The Chicago Bears kicked off padded practices Monday, where the media was in attendance and able to shed some light on some of the happenings at camp.

With several position battles happening in camp, there were some interesting developments in Monday’s practice. While the quarterback competition between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles will be difficult to gauge early on, there was some news regarding the cornerback competition.

According to The Athletic’s Adam Jahns, Artie Burns took reps with the first-team defense during the first padded practice. Kevin Toliver worked with the second-team.

Nagy noted that Burns, a former first-round pick, has the kind of veteran experience that lends itself to this competition. The Bears signed Burns to a one-year prove-it deal in free agency, and he has a chance to win that starting job opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller. But this battle is far from over.

As far as second-round rookie Jaylon Johnson, there wasn’t a lot of him in this first padded practice. But Matt Nagy expects that to change as the days go on. Johnson is recovering from shoulder surgery, and this is the first time he and Chicago’s rookie class are getting to work with their team on the practice field.

While Johnson wasn’t a focal point in this first padded practice, he’s someone that will no doubt work hard to close the gap between him and Burns and Toliver.

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Chuck Pagano says rookie CB Jaylon Johnson is a bit limited in training camp

Bears rookie CB Jaylon Johnson is battling for a starting job, but he’s been limited so far in training camp coming off a shoulder injury.

The Chicago Bears got a steal in cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. With the release of veteran Prince Amukamara, general manager Ryan Pace located his cornerback of the future and pulled the trigger at pick 50.

One of the reasons that Johnson slipped to the second round as the seventh cornerback taken overall in the NFL Draft was due to past shoulder injuries. Johnson has had three shoulder surgeries — one on his left and two on his right shoulder — with the most recent coming in March to repair a torn right labrum, which he played through during most of the 2019 season at Utah.

Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano told reporters Thursday that he’s impressed with Johnson’s football IQ. But, as to be expected coming off shoulder surgery, Johnson has been limited in training camp.

“Moving around out there, he’s been a little bit limited because he’s coming off of a shoulder deal and stuff,” Pagano said. “But he’s got a bunch of dominant traits that should equate because he’s got good work ethic and I think he’s passionate and loves football.”

Back in April, Johnson told the Chicago media that his shoulder was fully healed and that he should “definitely be ready to go” come the start of the regular season.

While there’s no doubt that Johnson can be a starter in his rookie season, he has to earn that role opposite Kyle Fuller. The battle at cornerback is just one of many high-profile position battles in training camp. Johnson will battle the likes of Kevin Toliver and Artie Burns for the starting job.

Although according to NBC Sports Chicago’s JJ Stankevitz, Johnson isn’t the team’s No. 2 cornerback just yet.

Johnson is at a disadvantage given he’s been limited coming off shoulder surgery, as well as the virtual offseason and lack of a preseason to get some valuable reps. Even if Johnson isn’t starting Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, that doesn’t mean he won’t earn the job sometime during his rookie year.

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Meet the Rookies: CB Jaylon Johnson determined to prove doubters wrong

While he hasn’t yet played a snap for the Bears, rookie CB Jaylon Johnson already carries a chip on his shoulders.

While he hasn’t yet played a snap for the Chicago Bears, rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson already carries a chip on his shoulders.

Johnson, the Bears’ 50th overall draft selection, was the seventh cornerback taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. And that’s something that Johnson takes offense to. He believes that he’s the best cornerback in this draft class, and six other teams passed him up.

To be fair, the Bears got an absolute steal in Johnson in the second round due to concerns about his shoulder. Appearing on ChicagoBears.com’s Meet the Rookies series, Johnson talked about using that as motivation for his rookie season.

“From what I was able to do in college and the level I was able to do it at, I didn’t think there were six cornerbacks that should’ve been taken ahead of me,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, that’s just more fuel to my fire. Even if I was the first one taken, I still would’ve found something to motivate me in some way, shape or form to keep me going. Just being, like you said, the seventh corner taken…it just makes we want to go to work even more.”

Johnson’s confidence is hard to miss, especially given the lofty goals he’s already set for himself in 2020. Earlier this offseason, Johnson told ESPN 1000’s Carmen & Jurko Show that his three goals this year are to become a starter his rookie season, win Rookie Defensive Player of the Year and win a Super Bowl.

Watch Johnson’s episode of Meet the Rookies below:

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Don’t count out Tre Roberson in Bears’ cornerback competition

While many believe rookie Jaylon Johnson has that starting CB locked up opposite Kyle Fuller, don’t rule out CFL star Tre Roberson just yet.

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This offseason the Chicago Bears signed arguably one of the best defensive players from the Canadian Football League (CFL) in cornerback Tre Roberson to the largest CFL deal with a two-year, $1.5 million contract.

Roberson spent two years in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders. In the last two years, Roberson hasn’t missed a game, recorded 10 interceptions, two touchdowns, two force fumbles and 95 tackles. The 2019 CFL All-Star would help the Stampeders win the 106th Grey Cup in 2018.

It seems that everyone is ready to rule second-round pick Jaylon Johnson as the starting cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller, but Bears defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend has some optimism for the 27-year old.

“The plays that he was able to make in Canada, those are things that are natural, those are things that you can’t teach,” Townsend said during a video call with the media. “For me, I’m excited to get a chance to see him move around, see his natural playmaking ability, and see if I can help mold him.”

Roberson started off as a quarterback in college at Indiana from 2011-13, but he would transfer to Illinois State for 2014-15. With his two seasons as a Redbird, Roberson totaled 48 passing touchdowns, 22 rushing touchdowns, 5,446 yards through the air and 1,806 yards on the ground.

It wasn’t until the Illinois State Pro Day where Roberson switched to cornerback. Roberson did so well that the Minnesota Vikings offered a tryout, then a contract for the preseason roster. Roberson would be released then added to the practice squad before being waived in September.

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Matt Nagy confirms competition at cornerback and safety

Bears CB Jaylon Johnson and S Tashaun Gipson remain the favorites to win starting jobs, but they’ll have to lock those jobs down in camp.

Don’t pencil in those 53-man roster projections just yet.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy told reporters last week that there will indeed be competition at cornerback and safety in training camp.

Still, rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson and veteran safety Tashaun Gipson remain the clear-cut favorites to win the starting jobs opposite cornerback Kyle Fuller and safety Eddie Jackson, but they’ll have to lock those jobs down in camp and preseason.

The Bears released veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara earlier this offseason as a cap casualty, are they’re looking for his replacement opposite Fuller. Second-round pick Jaylon Johnson figures to assume that role. But he’ll have to battle a crowded cornerbacks room, including veteran Kevin Toliver and newcomers Artie Burns and Tre Roberson.

Chicago lost safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to free agency, which frees Eddie Jackson to move back to his natural position of free safety in 2020. While Deon Bush looked to be in line to replace Clinton-Dix, the Bears added veteran safety and ballhawk Tashaun Gipson, who should win the starting job opposite Jackson.

Heading into training camp, there will be several roster battles to watch, including cornerback and safety. Although those figure to be less of a surprise than, say, the quarterback battle between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles.

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