Despite a record-breaking blowout win, the Chicago Bears' secondary remains under the microscope after Bryce Young shredded the Bears' top cornerbacks.
The Chicago Bears left Bank of America Stadium with a 59-37 win over the Carolina Panthers. Each week, the goal is to find a way to come away with a victory, and head coach Ben Johnson's team achieved that to start off the 2026 season.
Despite setting a franchise record for the most points scored in a season opener, the team is already focused on turning the page and moving on to their Week 2 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings.
Two players in particular must take the same approach after their respective performances against the Panthers: starting cornerbacks Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson.
The veteran cornerbacks gave up big plays to quarterback Bryce Young and the Panthers' playmakers. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson gave up five receptions on seven targets for 127 yards, including a 48-yard gain to running back Jonathon Brooks. When Young escaped the pocket and ran towards the goal line for the Panthers' third score of the day, Carolina's quarterback put a move on Johnson, sent the veteran cornerback to the turf and crossed the end zone line for six.
Stevenson's day wasn't much better. He allowed four receptions on five targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jalen Coker beat Stevenson deep for a 51-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
Johnson reviewed the game film and told reporters on Monday that he plans to circle back on Wednesday to speak with the veteran cornerbacks.
"Both of them, I talked to them after the game in the locker room, and they were excited that the team won the game, but I think both of them felt like they could play better than they did, and the tape appeared that way to me," Johnson said. "I thought they both had strong training camps, so really wanted to hit the ground running, and I don’t think we did in terms of what we were expecting in that game. Good news is this: We’ve got a chance next week to come back and start all over again. We’ve had some instances in the past where we don’t play as well as we want to one week and we come back the next week and play a whole lot better, and I expect that out of them. They’re pros and they know what it looks like and I know they’re also really resilient individuals as well. They know they’re talented and this team needs them, so they’ll bounce back, no problem."
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said earlier this summer that the defense needs Jaylon Johnson to play "at a very high level for us to be successful, and I think he understands that."
Jaylon Johnson did force one of the defense's two turnovers, punching the football out of Tetairoa McMillan's hands. Stevenson is in a contract year and will have to play far more consistent if he want to remain in Chicago past the 2026 season.
The two cornerbacks will get an opportunity to redeem themselves against the Vikings for the Bears' home opener at Soldier Field.
