PHOENIX – Acquiring players via free agency, trades and the draft isn't the only way the Bears can improve in 2026. They are also hoping for two of their best defensive players to be fully healthy.
Last year, two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson and versatile nickel back Kyler Gordon were limited to seven and three regular-season games, respectively, before both came back to play in the Bears' two postseason contests.
"It's almost like we're starting over completely again this spring in terms of relationship building and starting off on the right track," coach Ben Johnson said this week at the NFL owners meetings. "But we're a better team, we're certainly a better defense, when those two guys are out there. There's a reason why they're paid the way they're paid. We need them out there."
After missing training camp and the preseason due to a groin injury that required surgery, Jaylon Johnson appeared in only one of the Bears' first 11 games before returning to play the final eight contests, including playoffs.
Gordon missed the first four games with a hamstring injury. He played in back-to-back wins over the Commanders and Saints but then suffered calf and groin injuries in practice that sidelined him for 11 of the final 12 regular-season contests.
The impact that a healthy Johnson and Gordon can make figures to extend beyond the secondary to the entire defense.
"The tighter they are in coverage, the better our pass rush is going to be," Ben Johnson said. "That's what you look at watching the self-scout. I know there's a lot of emphasis on the pass rush—I got it—but there's a marriage between that rush and coverage as well. So we need those guys out there. I really look forward to having them out there this spring and during training camp and getting able to get some really good work out of them."
Johnson is just as excited to begin working with some of the new additions. That includes linebacker Devin Bush, a speedy free-agent acquisition who excels in coverage. The seven-year NFL veteran displayed his speed last season when he intercepted a Joe Burrow pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.
Bush brings experience to the Bears, having appeared in 98 NFL games with 78 starts for the Steelers (2019-22), Seahawks (2023) and Browns (2024-25). Last year, he was the only NFL player to return two interceptions for TDs.
"You go back and you see in our system, how we viewed him coming out of college, he's one of those guys that had a Bears box," Johnson said. "The character matched up with the play style. He's one of those guys. I think he's going to fit in nicely with what we're doing. He's smart. He loves ball. So I feel good that he's going to be a great scheme match."
Bush joins a Bears defense that led the NFL last season with 33 takeaways and 23 interceptions. Players who accounted for 18 of those picks won't return in 2026, but Johnson isn't concerned because he feels that takeaways are not sustainable and believes strongly in defensive backs coach Al Harris.
"He's a phenomenal football coach, obviously, but he's just got a way of teaching these guys to be in a good spot and take the ball away," Johnson said. "That's been his 'MO' since he was coaching DBs in Dallas and that carried on over here. That's why I do have confidence, is that he's still with us.
"Those guys as an entire unit—I'm talking about Richard Smith at linebackers as well—they're very ball conscious, looking to punch that ball out any opportunity that they get. And we're going to continue to make that a focal point for us because, truth be told, that was a big reason for our success last year was our ability to take the ball away."
Johnson feels fortunate that Harris is back with the Bears for a second season.
"It's just a matter of time before he gets that coordinator job," Johnson said. "I know he felt very strongly about coming back in Chicago as well. He had a great time last year. I don't want to speak for him, but he and I had great conversations in terms of his role and his value for us. I think he knows that he's a big reason for our success."
