A Secondary Under Pressure
The Chicago Bears entered the preseason with hopes of a fortified secondary, but a combination of injuries and uncertainty has left them considering their options. According to Heavy., the team is "running thin" in the secondary despite spending significant resources recently. Tyrique Stevenson, the team's second starting cornerback, is battling an undisclosed injury, and head coach Ben Johnson described him as "week to week," as reported by Nicholas Moreano. Kyler Gordon, who signed a three-year, $40 million deal that kicks in Week 1, missed all but three games last season and sat out the entire offseason program with soft tissue injuries. The team added Malik Muhammad in the fourth round of the April draft to address depth, but the injury situation has forced questions about his ability to step in immediately. Specifically, the cornerback room has two starting spots (CB2 and CB3) that need filling, and rookie Malik cannot handle both roles alone. A potentially season-ending injury to safety Coby Bryant further complicated matters, as Cam Lewis—the presumptive fill-in for Gordon—moved to safety. Reserves Jaylon Jaylon Jones and Terell Smith both come with injury and experience questions of their own.
The Case for Joey Porter Jr.
The trade market has become a more attractive avenue for the Bears after the Seattle Seahawks signed Trevon Diggs in free agency, which tightened the availability of cornerbacks. A notable name still on the market is Joey Porter Jr. of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Porter, a former second-round pick (No. 32 overall) in 2023, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Steelers' coaching situation has been a point of focus, but the team is reportedly at an "jumbo" with the cornerback. Reports from Heavy. attribute the "jumbo" comment to the team, though Sports Illustrated suggests the player is "unhappy" in Pittsburgh. NFL insider Jordan Schultz has cited multiple teams who believe Porter could be available. Former NFL linebacker James Harrison has publicly suggested that he'll hold out for a new deal before the season, though his role as a commentator makes him a voice of an opinion rather than a source with direct knowledge.
The Bears' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen employs a scheme that relies on press and man coverage, which fits Porter's skill set well, as reported by Sports Illustrated. That fit makes him an appealing trade target.
The Cost of a Trade
Porter's services won't come cheap. Spotrac projects his market value at three years and $70 million total. The Bears have about $16 million in available cap space for 2027, ranking 19th in the league. To create more room, Spotrac estimates that cutting certain players would free up: $15 million from Dayo Odeyingbo, $12.75 million from Grady Jarrett, and $8.5 million from Kyler Gordon. Still, a trade would cost the Bears draft capital—Sports Illustrated suggests they do so without giving up a first-round pick.
Other Concerns in the Secondary
The decision is clouded by additional roster issues. Tyrique Stevenson, in the final year of his rookie contract, has not shown enough to warrant a long-term commitment, per Heavy.com. Jaylon Johnson, the star cornerback, has sparked renegotiation. The contract runs through 2027, but his hints at a new deal add urgency. Kyler Gordon's health is uncertain, with no return timeline given. According to Sports Illustrated, if Gordon returns before October, the Bears may stand pat, but if they expect him back midseason or later, they should improve the cornerback room.
A Mixed Preseason Signal
The Bears' 27-9 preseason loss the Cincinnati Bengals underscored the need for depth. The Bengals didn't start any offensive starters, yet their second- and third-string unit orchestrated a 14-play, seven-minute drive to open the game. Chicago defense managed to keep them out of the end zone, but the effort was. As a result, Bears CHGO's Adam Hoge had predicted that the team will add a cornerback, possibly via a trade or a waiver claim, though he didn't specify which. Hoge said in a that with what they have with them, they'll likely add somebody before season's start.