After a season-ending injury sidelined him, the resilient player returns to a high-stakes backup role, fighting for a roster spot and a future in Chicago’s secondary.
The Chicago Bears had multiple starters wind on injured reserve last season.
Rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner suffered a torn ACL early in the year that ended his season. Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles in the win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Then there were the injuries in the secondary.
Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon were out for most of the year. Gordon had more than one ailment.
Gordon first missed four regular-season games with a hamstring injury that he sustained during the preseason. He came back in Week 6, only to go back on the IR with a groin and calf injury.
Johnson suffered a groin injury during the Week 2 loss to the Detroit Lions. Both Johnson and Gordon managed to return in Week 13 for the Philadelphia Eagles game.
However, Gordon went back on the IR after re-injuring his groin in pregame warmups ahead of the Green Bay Packers game in Week 14.
Gordon eventually returned for the playoffs, and Johnson played the remainder of the year, but you could definitely feel their absence from the secondary.
There was another injury to a cornerback that was overshadowed by the lack of Johnson and Gordon being around.
Terrell Smith suffered a season-ending patellar tendon tear in the preseason last year. He has been with the Bears for three years now after being drafted out of Minnesota in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He was a productive member of the corner rotation as a rookie, recording 49 total tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three TFLs. He would later go on to record his first career interception in 2024.
Another reason to watch him this season is that his rookie contract runs out in 2027. This is a pivotal year for Smith, as time is running out for him to convince the Bears to give him another contract.
He isn't as buried in the depth chart as you would think after missing one season due to injury. On OurLads.com, Smith is currently projected as the backup corner behind Johnson.
When Johnson comes out of the game, Smith will be the next man up. Fingers crossed that no more major injuries happen in the secondary, but it seems Smith may be the first in line if that happens again in 2026.
We saw how a player with low expectations can flourish last year with Nahshon Wright. With Johnson and Gordon out for most of the year, he stepped up in a big way.
Wright finished with 80 total tackles, five interceptions, three TFLs and two forced fumbles. Unfortunately, he was worth more than the Bears were willing to pay, so he joined the New York Jets in free agency.
Smith could be able to reach his full potential with a full season under cornerbacks coach Al Harris.
Could he be the next Nahshon Wright? Harris has been able to get a lot out of these Bears' corners in the past.
