Defense has long been a staple of the Chicago Bears franchise and is always expected to be a catalyst to their team’s success. Whether it resulted in a championship or not, they’ve always had superstars on that side of the ball.
During the Matt Eberflus era, however, they were just okay at their peak. For being a defensive-minded head coach, he never helped that group elevate beyond expectations. New head coach Ben Johnson hired an experienced, proven defensive coordinator in Dennis Allen to lead the charge. He’ll be the leader on defense, and a helping hand as a former head coach, while Johnson focuses on offense.
Players play the game. There are going to be several guys worth keeping an extra eye on during training camp. Here’s one player to watch at each defensive position group ahead of training camp.
Defensive end: Montez Sweat
Montez Sweat has a case to be considered the best all-around player on the Bears. They are hoping that a few players on offense challenge him for that rank in the coming year, but it’s where they are right now. Sweat is also alone on the defensive line in terms of an elite pass rusher. There are some players with potential but nobody who can truly take advantage of Sweat’s greatness. Coming into training camp, the Bears are looking for a cleaner bill of health for Sweat, who dealt with injuries last season that impacted his production. Now, with Dennis Allen in charge, Sweat has the potential to get back to his dominant ways.
Defensive tackle: Gervon Dexter Sr.
The Bears have some big names along the defensive interior, including long-time veterans Andrew Billings and Grady Garrett. But it’s third-year pro Gervon Dexter Sr. who has the potential to become a force along the interior. Dexter was impressive in his first year as a starter where he thrived alongside Billings. But when Billings was lost for the season to a torn pec, Dexter’s production dipped. With Billings and Jarrett in place, Dexter has the potential to reach his full potential in Year 3.
Linebacker: Ruben Hyppolite II
The Bears selected Ruben Hyppolite II in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft, and he’s already making a case for playing time. Hyppolite was named a standout player by Ben Johnson during the offseason, and he’s in contention to win the third linebacker spot. Hyppolite is battling Noah Sewell for that role behind T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, and it’s a battle that will carry over into training camp. If Hyppolite can win the LB3 job, it could make general manager Ryan Poles look like a genius.
Cornerback: Jaylon Johnson
Jaylon Johnson is arguably the best defensive player and best overall player on the Bears. The two-time Pro Bowler is an incredible defender with outstanding ball skills, speed, and a motor ready to compete at a high level on every play. Coming into camp, you’d like to see Jaylon Johnson resume his role as a leader on the team. There are some younger players around who can learn from him, including rookie Zah Frazier. With a new coaching staff, a leader like him will play a huge role. Tyrique Stevenson is an honorable mention who could learn a thing or two from Johnson. It seems as if he learned from his mistakes in 2024 and is now ready to contribute.
Safety: Jaquan Brisker
The Bears didn’t have Jaquan Brisker for most of the 2024 season after he suffered a concussion in Week 5 that held him out for the season. Now, Brisker has been cleared to resume football activities and it looking to get back to his physical, dominant style of play. All eyes will be on Brisker, and his partner in prime Kevin Byard, to see if they can shore up the defensive backfield alongside a dominant cornerback group. If he can stay on the field for a majority of the season, the defensive unit as a whole will be much better. A strong preseason and training camp will help him find the tools he needs to bounce back from a tough injury situation last season.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: One player to watch at every position on defense at Bears training camp
Reporting by Vincent Parise, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
