The Chicago Bears' secondary was hit-or-miss last season. They led the league in total takeaways (33) and interceptions (23), but they also allowed 227.2 passing yards and 24.4 points per game, ranking 22nd and 23rd, respectively.
As such, there was never a doubt that there would be a significant turnaround in the secondary this offseason. Several starters were set to become free agents, and many of them were clearly nowhere to be found on GM Ryan Poles' list of priorities.
That's why, after watching Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, Nahshon Wright, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson walk away in free agency, it's pretty clear that this team will have to turn to the draft for some help in the defensive backfield.
The Bears Need to Invest in the Secondary in the NFL Draft
While there are still some options in free agency, there aren't many game-changers. They can make a run at veterans like Marshon Lattimore or Trevon Diggs for their CB needs and turn to Harrison Smith at safety, but all of those players are past their prime. Considering that, the draft might be their clearest path toward an upgrade.
As things stand now, the Bears have seven draft picks, including four in the top-90. They'll pick at No. 25 in the first round, and then at 57 and 60 in round two. Then, they have picks No. 89 (3rd), No. 129 (4th), No. 239, and No. 241 (7th).
Of course, top-tier prospects like S Caleb Downs and CB Mansoor Delane will both be off the table by the time they're on the clock. However, they might still be able to get Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman or CBs Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) or Avieon Terrell (Clemson), all projected to be available in the mid-to-late first round. LSU's A.J. Haulcy and Arizona State's Keith Abney II might also be up for grabs later in the second round if they want to use their first-round selection to bolster the front seven instead.
Whatever the case, the Bears' secondary needs to go through a major overhaul. Dennis Allen's first year in charge of the defense was fairly disappointing, and this team can't continue to pin all their hopes on Caleb Williams and the offense to orchestrate game-winning drives and late-game heroics week in and week out. Plain and simple, living on the edge like that is not a sustainable way to achieve success in the NFL.
This team is clearly far ahead of schedule in its retooling process, and it would be a shame to watch Ben Johnson's explosive offense be held back when it matters the most because this defense can't seem to stop big plays.