Are the Bears defensive backs as good as we think they are?

PFF’s ranking of NFL defensive secondary units places Chicago shockingly low.

This time of the NFL offseason is all about projection. It’s no different for the Chicago Bears. While a lot of the excitement has come from fans projecting what number one overall pick, Caleb Williams, and the offense will be able to do this coming season, the Bears defense quietly gained momentum over the back-half of 2023 and also stands poised for improvement in the year ahead.

If the Bears do improve defensively in 2024, one likely reason will be the performance of their talented secondary. Headlined by 2nd Team All-Pro CB Jaylon Johnson returning on a newly signed deal, the group added veteran S Kevin Byard to replace the departing Eddie Jackson and join ascending young players Kyler Gordon, Jaquan Brisker, and Tyrique Stevenson. That’s now a group of defensive backs that many, myself included, feel have a quality argument to land as a top-10 unit in the NFL.

That said, you may find this ranking from PFF to be missing something.

The Bears’ exclusion from the top-10 is far from outrageous. Rational minds can read back my summary of the team’s five primary starters and find plenty of reasons for pause (aside from Johnson, of course). It would make sense for them to land at 11, 12, or even Keenan Allen’s 13. But, that’s not what’s poked the Bears fanbase, though. What sparked conversation and sharp fan rebuttal is that PFF’s John Kosko ranked the Chicago secondary at number 19, firmly in the bottom half of the league. Adding to the confusion, Kosko’s article paints the Bears’ DBs in a positive light overall:

19. CHICAGO BEARS

The Bears signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a big contract extension this offseason after a career year. They also added safety Kevin Byard, who’s been one of the best safeties in the NFL since entering the league. Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson had their ups and downs in 2023, as did safety Jaquan Brisker, but this unit could be extremely good in 2024 if it plays to its high-end abilities.

What do you think? Is this a fair landing spot for Johnson and Co.? Should they take this as a challenge to step up with a “prove it” mentality? Or are the Bears continuing to be slept on?