Through the early going of training camp, the Chicago Bears defense certainly has had the advantage on most days led by safety Eddie Jackson.
Both sides of the ball have been totally revamped this offseason. But much of the attention has been on the offense. At the same time, the Bears’ defense ranked 31st against the run and 32nd in yards allowed per pass attempt last season.
That latter number stands out as they have held their own against the passing game so far in camp.
Bears’ Eddie Jackson to Offense: ‘We’re Not Letting Up’
Eddie Jackson: ‘Iron Sharpens Iron’
“It’s on us,” Jackson said when asked what that does for the defense’s confidence. “It’s about us on defense. No matter what they do, we want to bring the best out of them every day, as well as ourselves.”
A much-maligned group from 2022 added some teeth to the front seven. They added EDGE rusher Yannick Ngakoue to an offseason haul that included linebackers Tremaine Edmunds from the Buffalo Bills and T.J. Edwards from the Philadelphia Eagles among several others like former Tennessee Titans EDGE rusher DeMarcus Walker and former Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Billings.
A young secondary outside of the 29-year-old Jackson got a baptism by fire into the NFL last season and is playing faster this summer.
That has led to a “different” vibe permeating the defense.
“That’s our motto: Keep your foot on the gas. We’re not letting up. No matter if they’re balling against us, if they come out here and have a flat day. We’re gonna go out there, we’re gonna compete. Iron sharpens iron.”
Quarterback Justin Fields offered up a similar response when asked just how going up against this defense is paying off for the offense which has had to earn everything so far. Most notably, Fields wants the offense to emulate the defense’s energy.
Since we’re in the business of grading energy and “juice” these days at Bears camp, the defense definitely is bringing it today.
Jackson and Claypool are still chirping at each other as the team drill ends.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 5, 2023
Jackson had his resurgent 2022 campaign cut short by injury. Now healthy, he is right back setting the example for both sides of the ball.
“At the end of the day, we’re all one team,” Jackson said. “But right now, where the defense is headed, our mindset is different. We want to continue to come out here, get better, and compete every single day.”
Bears’ Roschon Johnson ‘Hated’ Missing Time
Rookie running back Roschon Johnson was sidelined for several sessions but returned to the training camp fray on Friday.
“It was terrible,” Johnson said on August 4 about having to miss so much time during his first NFL training camp. “I hated every second just not being involved, not getting my feet wet. I hated it.”
The Bears chose Johnson in the fourth round with the No 114 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. Almost immediately, word about his talent and character became the story. He spent five years in college at Texas but four seasons came behind now-Atlanta Falcons rookie Bijan Robinson.
His athleticism and skill set is undeniable.
Roschon Johnson's first year playing the RB position was 2019, as a freshman at Texas.
His avoided tackle rate by season:
2019 – 21%
2020 – 34%
2021 – 42%
2022 – 49%Across 2021-22 seasons (3rd/4th years as an RB), Johnson was the nation's second-most difficult RB to tackle. pic.twitter.com/pBhdPNRWuk
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 2, 2023
At 6-foot and 222 pounds, he falls somewhere in between incumbent Khalil Herbert and 2023 free agency signing D’Onta Foreman – who have operated as the primary backs so far in camp – in terms of size.
And, given that Herbert previously served as a complementary back and Foreman on a one-year contract, there was a thought that Johnson could sneak his way atop the depth chart.
“Texas running back Roschon Johnson may have been overlooked a bit during the leadup to the 2023 NFL draft. He was blocked by Bijan Robinson…so he never got to fully show what he may be capable of,” wrote Jake Rill of Bleacher Report on May 1. “And because he’s a bruising back, his ceiling could be as high as leading the team in rushing scores this season.”
That remains to be seen but, of course, can only happen with Johnson healthy.
Bears Absences Piling Up
The Bears have dealt with their fair share of absences as Nate Davis – who signed as a free agent from the Titans this offseason to be the starting right guard – remains sidelined along with several other players who project either as starters or key contributors.
Bears guard Teven Jenkins: back in action.
Jack Sanborn, Nate Davis, DeMarcus Walker, Jaquan Brisker: present but not participating.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 5, 2023
They have not even started game-planning for their first preseason game – against the Titans, no less – yet. There is still plenty of time to get everyone back healthy and up to speed before the regular season starts.
Main Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
