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Schrock: Bears’ defense sees elite future on horizon after finishing Cardinals originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
CHICAGO — The Bears’ second defensive possession Sunday evening against the Arizona Cardinals was a taste of what they believe will come in 2024.
On first-and-10 from their own 25, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray dropped back and fired a pass to tight end Trey McBride down the right side. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson read it the whole way and easily batted it away.
Three plays later, after the Cardinals picked up a first down, rookie cornerback Tyrique Stevenson blanketed Michael Wilson and knocked away Murray’s pass. Two plays later, on third-and-6, second-year slot corner Kyler Gordon perfectly covered Rondale Moore on a slot fade and swatted the pass away to force a punt.
This Bears’ defense is growing, gaining confidence, and sees no limit to what they can become.
“We going to the top,” Stevenson said after the Bears’ 27-16 Christmas Eve win over the Cardinals at Soldier Field. “I believe in every guy, and I know every guy believes in each other. We going to the top.
“This whole DB secondary is one of the best in the nation,” Stevenson said later. “One of the best I’ve been apart of. With us getting better throughout the rest of the year, just know that we’re going to come back and be the No. 1 secondary in the nation.”
The Bears’ defense talked all year about being elite. They spoke of their belief in the process. They had certainty that the right pieces were in place. All that was needed was time to come together — to grow as one.
That message stayed the same after they gave up 31 points in the season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers and 40 to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3. The Bears watched safety Eddie Jackson and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds miss time with injuries in the middle of the season.
But the group got healthy, and an NFL trade deadline deal for edge rusher Montez Sweat was the gel needed to take the group from a unit with…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/schrock-bears-defense-sees-elite-031101589.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2023-12-25 03:11:01
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