2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at cornerback
· Yahoo Sports
The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they're looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson's second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.
The Bears didn't make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond. But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired.
Visit chinesewhispers.club for more information.
Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle.
Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Next up is cornerback, where former Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson and nickel Kyler Gordon are looking to bounce back while the Bears need to decide if Tyrique Stevenson is a starting cornerback.
Who's on the roster?
- Jaylon Johnson
- Kyler Gordon
- Tyrique Stevenson
- Cam Lewis
- Terell Smith
- Zah Frazier
- Josh Blackwell
- Jaylon Jones
- Dallis Flowers
- Dontae Manning
The Bears were without their top two cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, for most of the 2025 season, which hurt their secondary in a big way (coupled with a lack of a pass rush). Johnson played in just nine games (with two playoff contests) while Gordon only appeared in five games (including two playoff appearances). Their absences hurt the team in a massive way, although it opened the door for the emergence of Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright, who exited in free agency. Tyrique Stevenson was on track to lose his starting job to Wright until Johnson's groin injury, and he stepped up in a starter role following a rough outing in 2024 amid his role in the Hail Mary loss vs. the Commanders. Stevenson played for most of the season before seeing his playing time decrease when Johnson returned to the lineup.
Chicago signed defensive back Cam Lewis during free agency. Lewis was a versatile member of the Buffalo Bills defense having played cornerback, safety and nickel cornerback during his six seasons. Terell Smith missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his left knee during the preseason. Meanwhile, last year's fifth-round rookie Zah Frazier was sidelined his entire rookie season as he dealt with personal issues that held him out for the entire summer. The Bears also return two former undrafted free agents who have played key special teams roles in Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones. Dallis Flowers and Dontae Manning round out the room.
Who departed this offseason?
- Nahshon Wright
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Nick McCloud
Nahshon Wright was among the most pleasant surprises for the Bears last season, where he went from a camp body to starting cornerback to Pro Bowler. Wright emerged as a contender in the summer before injuries guaranteed him a spot in the lineup. While he was far from perfect, he inhabited the ballhawk nature that Dennis Allen and position coach Al Harris desire. Wright led the NFL in takeaways (7), with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries, while totaling 80 tackles, three tackles for loss, 11 pass breakups, one touchdown, and one QB hit. While Wright indicated he'd like to return to Chicago, the Bears allowed him to hit free agency, where he signed with the New York Jets.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson was a mid-season addition following Kyler Gordon's injury, where he filled the role of nickel cornerback. He proved to be a solid get for the Bears, where he totaled three sacks and two interceptions. Gardner-Johnson found a new home with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. Nick McCloud was a special teams contributor who was thrust into action amid a myriad of injuries at cornerback, but he struggled when he saw the field, which actually prompted the signing of Gardner-Johnson.
Positional need: Moderate
The Bears are returning two key starters in Jaylon Johnson and nickel Kyler Gordon, but there's uncertainty at the other outside cornerback position that could be occupied by Tyrique Stevenson. The question is whether Chicago views Stevenson as a starter heading into this season, otherwise drafting a cornerback isn't off the table here, and competition from guys like Terell Smith and Zah Frazier could shake things up. The Bears need to ensure depth at cornerback following last season, where they lost three cornerbacks before the regular season started, although Johnson and Gordon did return to play sparingly in 2025.
Top draft prospects
- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- Avieon Terrell, Clemson
- Mansoor Delane, LSU
- D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
- Chris Johnson, San Diego St.
- Colton Hood, Tennessee
- Keith Abney II, Arizona St.
- Brandon Cisse, South Carolina
While cornerback isn't as glaring a need as the defensive line or safety, it's still a position that needs to be addressed in the draft given depth questions and uncertainty at starting outside cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson. The top corners in Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell and Mansoor Delane will likely be long gone by the time Chicago is picking at No. 25, but there are some Day 2 options that could prove intriguing, including Chris Johnson, Colton Hood and Brandon Cisse.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at cornerback