Shaw Local’s 2021 Bears report card: Defensive backs

The Bears’ pass rush ability was elite in 2021, but the secondary wasn’t good enough to make the defense as a whole elite.

Under new head coach Matt Eberflus, the Bears hope they can return their defense to an elite level. To do that, the Bears will have to make some adjustments in the secondary.

[ Shaw Local’s 2021 Bears report card: Defensive line ]

Positives: Cornerback Jaylon Johnson continued to show that he belongs. He led the Bears with nine passes defended, had one interception and one forced fumble. After a shoulder injury ended his 2020 season early, Johnson stayed healthy in 2021 except for a brief stint on the COVID-19 list that knocked him out for two games.

Safeties Deon Bush and Tashaun Gipson led the team with two interceptions each. DeAndre Houston-Carson was solid as a backup, when asked to play in the secondary, until he injured his forearm late in the year.

In late December, rookie cornerback Thomas Graham had a breakout performance and earned a spot on the active roster for the remainder of the season. Bears fans should be excited about his potential moving forward.

[ Shaw Local’s 2021 Bears report card: Edge rusher ]

Negatives: The second cornerback spot was a sore spot all year for the Bears. The team benched Kindle Vildor midway through the season in favor of Artie Burns, who was only marginally better. The Bears also tried numerous players in the nickel spot and never settled on one person for the job.

The issues at those two positions made it easy for opponents to simply avoid throwing in the direction of Johnson.

[ Shaw Local’s 2021 Bears report card: Linebackers ]

Johnson, meanwhile, was by no means flawless. There’s still room to improve. He wants to be a cornerback who can play anywhere on the field. But when he did move inside, particularly against the Packers’ Davante Adams, he wasn’t good enough. He acknowledged that himself and has been clear that he needs and wants to improve in that area of his game.

Safety Eddie Jackson had another mediocre season. He hasn’t had an interception since 2019. On a positive note, he actually performed well in the slot when the Bears used him there.

Defining moments: In retrospect, the Bears’ Week 2 victory against the Bengals looks better and better after Cincinnati reached the Super Bowl. The Bears intercepted Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow three times in that game. Johnson was the only defensive back with a pick that day, but the secondary limited Burrow all afternoon.

The Dec. 20 loss against Vikings must be mentioned. All four Bears starters were on the COVID-19 list and were ruled out of the game. Even so, a team of backups stepped up and played surprisingly well against quarterback Kirk Cousins. That was Graham’s breakout performance. He defended several passes in that game and earned a permanent roster spot within days.

Grade: C. It might come as a surprise that the Bears ranked third-best in the NFL in passing yards against in 2021 at 191.6 yards per game. In an odd juxtaposition, the Bears ranked 22nd in passing yards allowed per play (6.83 yards) and 26th in interception rate.

The secondary simply wasn’t good in key moments, didn’t create enough turnovers and had far too many miscommunications.

Contract status: Jackson has three years remaining on his contract. Johnson and Vildor have two seasons on their rookie deals. Duke Shelley and Graham are under contract in 2022.

Deon Bush, Tashaun Gipson, DeAndre Houston-Carson and Burns are set to become free agents.

The plan: The Bears need another starting safety. That could be as simple as re-signing Gipson. He’s been a solid veteran presence who, though he’s not a game-changer, makes limited mistakes. If not Gipson, the Bears probably need someone with NFL experience.

Graham or Vildor could be the starting cornerback opposite Johnson. But don’t be surprised if the Bears look to add a veteran at cornerback via free agency. Their second cornerback was a weak spot all season in 2021.