Elite matchups against Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase provide a critical barometer for the Chicago Bears' secondary as they test their man-coverage ability against one of the league's most explosive offenses.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson called this Chicago Bears offense the best he's had in his seven years since being drafted by the team in 2020.
With head coach Ben Johnson calling the plays for quarterback Caleb Williams and his plentiful pass-catching options, it makes sense why the veteran defensive back would make that statement.
Johnson and the rest of the defense have been tested in training camp, but that will go to another level against a high-powered offense in Thursday's joint practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen highlighted that the Bengals have an MVP caliber quarterback in Joe Burrow, an Offensive Player of the Year and MVP caliber wide receiver in Ja'Marr Chase, another "heck of a player" in receiver Tee Higgins, a "hell of a running back" in Chase Brown and tight end Mike Gesicki.
The Bengals also have all five starters on the offensive line returning. When Burrow has been healthy, Cincinnati has consistently had one of the best offenses in the NFL.
Allen is looking forward to his players competing against what he believes is going to be one of the best offenses in the league. Here's exactly what the veteran defensive coordinator is hoping to see on Thursday.
“I think our ability to line up and cover elite receivers in our league and see where we're at in terms of being able to do that," Allen said. "We play some talented receiving corps in our own division, so this will be a great test for us again, like I said, and an opportunity for us to step up and see where we're at. It gives us a chance to evaluate where we're at as a defense, what we can do well, what we need to, potentially look to as we get into game-planning thoughts, how we're going to be as a defense and how we're going to scheme.”
Allen's defenses have historically incorporated heavy man coverage throughout his time with the New Orleans Saints and his top corners were accustom to shadowing opposing No. 1 receivers.
As Allen mentioned, the NFC North is stacked with talented receivers: Minnesota's Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams and Green Bay's Christian Watson and Jordan Reed.
The joint practice will allow Johnson and the rest of the defensive backs to test their coverage abilities ahead of a challenging 2026 season.
Allen acknowledged that it will be "a hell of a challenge" for all of his defensive backs to go up against the Bengals receivers, but he needs to determine whether his players can hold up in man coverage against Cincinnati's talent.
For a rookie in Malik Muhammad, Allen believes he has the confidence, aggressiveness and mindset that is needed to play cornerback in the NFL. All those traits will be tested on Thursday.
Allen has seen some flashes in Johnson's game, but he mentioned there is still room for improvement. The veteran Bears cornerback has been tested for the past four weeks covering his teammates, and now he can showcase how much he has improved against elite competition in Thursday's joint training practice.
