2026 NFL draft preview: Where Chicago Bears stand at cornerback

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of another important offseason, where they're looking to shore up the roster and remain contenders in Ben Johnson's second season as head coach as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. The Bears didn't make any big splashes in free agency, where their biggest move was signing Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant to fill one of two starting safety vacancies left by the departing Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Chicago also added linebacker Devin Bush, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond.

But the Bears also suffered some big losses, including wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, Byard and Brisker, as well as center Drew Dalman, who shockingly retired. Chicago has seven draft picks that includes four selections in the top 89, including a pair of second rounders, where they can address some of their biggest needs, including defensive line, safety and offensive tackle. Here at Bears Wire, we're going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2026 NFL Draft.

Next up is cornerback, where former Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson and nickel Kyler Gordon are looking to bounce back while the Bears need to decide if Tyrique Stevenson is a starting cornerback. Who's on the roster? Jaylon Johnson Kyler Gordon Tyrique Stevenson Cam Lewis Terell Smith Zah Frazier Josh Blackwell Jaylon Jones Dallis Flowers Dontae Manning The Bears were without their top two cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, for most of the 2025 season, which hurt their secondary in a big way (coupled with a lack of a pass rush).

Johnson played in just nine games (with two playoff contests) while Gordon only appeared in five games (including two playoff appearances). Their absences hurt the team in a massive way, although it opened the door for the emergence of Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright, who exited in free agency. Tyrique Stevenson was on track to lose his starting job to Wright until Johnson's groin injury, and he stepped up in a starter role following a rough outing in 2024 amid his role in the Hail Mary loss vs.