Chicago Bears training camp is just around the corner, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

We’re unveiling our Bears 2025 training camp position previews, where we’re breaking down every player by position and examining the biggest question facing the group.

Next up on defense, we’re looking at arguably the strongest position group on the roster: Cornerback, which is led by two-time Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson and newly-extended nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon. Those two roster spots are guaranteed, but there could be an intriguing battle for that starting job opposite Johnson on the outside between incumbent starter Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith and rookie Zah Frazier.

Let’s take a look at the Bears‘ cornerbacks heading into training camp:

Jaylon Johnson

After signing a well-deserved contract extension during the 2024 offseason, Jaylon Johnson once again proved that he’s one of the most important players on this Bears roster — and one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks. Johnson had his second consecutive Pro Bowl season, where he forced three turnovers and recorded a career-high in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (7) all with teams electing to steer clear of him when they could. He’ll be a cornerstone of Dennis Allen’s defense and primed to earn an All-Pro nod.

Kyler Gordon

Kyler Gordon has developed into one of the NFL’s best nickel cornerbacks, and he could find even more success under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Last season, he had a career-high 75 tackles, including our tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 0.5 sack, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries and two QB hits in 15 games. Gordon certainly fits that “attacking, aggressive style of defense” that Allen is looking to build in Chicago. Gordon inked a three-year, $40 million contract extension to keep him in Chicago through 2028.

Tyrique Stevenson

Tyrique Stevenson looked primed for a breakout season following an impressive Week 1 performance against the Titans, which included a pick-6 and NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Unfortunately, his entire second season was marred by his part in the Hail Mary loss against the Commanders, where he was seen on video talking with fans — and out of place — as the final play got underway. But Stevenson should benefit from the addition of new head coach Ben Johnson and this coaching staff. We’ll see if Terell Smith or rookie Zah Frazier will beat him out of a starting job.

Terell Smith

While the assumption is Tyrique Stevenson will be the starter for the third straight season, new head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear there’s no depth chart yet. So there are starting jobs up for grabs, including at cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson. Terell Smith is a bit of a dark horse candidate to take Stevenson’s job, and he nearly beat out Stevenson for the starting job when both were rookies in 2023. Smith actually outperformed Stevenson last season. He has impressive ballhawking ability and was one of the better coverage defensive backs last year, per Pro Football Focus (ranking 19th out of 222). We’ll see if Smith can usurp Stevenson — and hold off rookie Zah Frazier — for the job.

Zah Frazier

The Bears drafted Zah Frazier in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft to add even more depth to their deepest position group. Frazier caught the eye of defensive backs coach Al Harris during the pre-draft process, so he certainly has that going for him. While Tyrique Stevenson is expected to start for the third straight season, he could see competition from Frazier and Terell Smith for that starting spot opposite Jaylon Johnson. Even if Frazier doesn’t win the starting job as a rookie, he would serve as a valuable special teams contributor and step in when needed.

Josh Blackwell

Josh Blackwell, a former undrafted free agent in 2022, was set to become a restricted free agent, was signed to a multi-year extension before the start of free agency where he became one of the highest-paid special teamers in the NFL. Blackwell was claimed off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles in Aug. 2022, and he’s served as a key depth piece at cornerback and has been a core special teams contributor for Chicago ever since. While Blackwell likely won’t see the field much — as Kyler Gordon’s backup at slot cornerback — he’ll continue to serve as a key special teamer as a gunner or even return specialist.

Nick McCloud

The Bears signed Nick McCloud to a one-year deal during free agency to add depth to their cornerback room and a valuable special teams contributor. McCloud, a former undrafted free agent, has spent time with the Buffalo Bills (2021) and Cincinnati Bengals (2021) before becoming a regular contributor for the New York Giants (2022-24), mostly on special teams, and serving a brief stint with the San Francisco 49ers (2024). But McCloud faces an uphill battle for a roster spot in Chicago following the selection of Zah Frazier in the 2025 NFL draft. The Bears will likely only carry six cornerbacks, and McCloud would most likely be the odd man out.

Nashon Wright

Nashon Wright went from one NFC North team to another after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings and then shortly after signed to a one-year deal by the Bears. Wright got his start with the Dallas Cowboys, as a third-round pick in 2021, and played three seasons in Dallas before being traded to Minnesota in exchange for cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. He spent most of his time on the Vikings practice squad, appearing in one game exclusively on special teams. Now, Wright is reunited with former Cowboys defensive backs coach Al Harris, now serving in the same role in Chicago. But he faces an uphill battle for a roster spot.

Shaun Wade

The Bears signed Shaun Wade to a one-year deal this offseason to compete for a roster spot in a loaded cornerback room. Wade, a former fifth round pick, spent time with the Baltimore Ravens before being traded to the New England Patriots, where he played in 14 games with six starts. Last season, Wade spent time on the Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squad before signing with Chicago this offseason. Wade likely isn’t going to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but a strong training camp and preseason could earn him a roster spot elsewhere or even a spot on the practice squad.

Ameer Speed

The Bears tendered Ameer Speed to an exclusive rights contract this offseason to add more depth to the defensive backfield. Speed, a former sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots, was signed to Chicago’s practice squad back in 2024. He also spent a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts (2023) on their practice squad before being added to the Bears’ practice squad. Speed isn’t expected to earn a roster spot in a loaded cornerback room, but he could contend for another stint on the practice squad.

Jeremiah Walker

The Bears signed Jeremiah Walker as an undrafted free agent this year, where he joins an experienced cornerback group with plenty to teach him. Walker played in five seasons at Stephen F. Austin (2020-24), where he totaled 188 tackles, including five tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, 25 pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 54 career games. Walker isn’t expected to earn a spot on the 53-man roster given the depth of this position group, but a strong summer could warrant a spot on the practice squad.

Big Question: Will Tyrique Stevenson hold onto his starting job?

There aren’t many concerns about the Bears at the cornerback position, but there could be an intriguing battle for the starting job opposite Jaylon Johnson on the outside. While Tyrique Stevenson has been the starter since his rookie season, he’s coming off a rough sophomore campaign marred by the Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders. But with a new coaching staff in place, Stevenson gets a chance for a fresh start. But can he hold off a pair of talented young corners in Terell Smith, who nearly won the starting job when he and Stevenson were rookies in 2023, and rookie Zah Frazier, who caught defensive backs coach Al Harris’ eye during the pre-draft process. At this point, Stevenson certainly feels like the favorite. But Ben Johnson made it clear that all jobs will be earned.

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