Projecting the starting lineup of the Chicago Bears defense compared to last season, Dennis Allen will have a lot more versatility

Nickel defense (4 DL, 2 LBs, 5 DBs)

• DE: Montez Sweat
• DT: Grady Jarrett
• DT: Gervon Dexter Sr.
• DE: Austin Booker*
• MLB: T.J. Edwards
• WLB: Devin Bush*
• NCB: Kyler Gordon
• CB1: Jaylon Johnson
• CB2: Tyrique Stevenson
• FS: Coby Bryant*
• SS: Dillon Thieneman*

Dime defense (4 DL, 1 LBs, 6 DBs

• DE: Montez Sweat
• DT: Grady Jarrett
• DT: Gervon Dexter Sr.
• DE: Austin Booker*
• MLB: T.J. Edwards
• NCB1: Kyler Gordon
• NCB2: Cam Lewis*
• CB1: Jaylon Johnson
• CB2: Tyrique Stevenson
• FS: Coby Bryant*
• SS: Dillon Thieneman*

Notes

• The potential of this defense will be determined by the health of Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, who each missed significant time in 2025. Both players are Pro Bowl caliber players at their best and can transform this defense’s ability to lock down opposing #1 wide receivers and stay flexible with the other nine defenders.
• The Dillon Thieneman / Coby Bryant duo is going to be exciting to watch. DA will likely play both players interchangeably at either safety position but each player plays with a downhill, aggressive style.
• Chicago’s starting front four will remain the same from how the season ended. Montez Sweat has the ability to be a top pass rusher and Austin Booker is emerging as a consistent force off the edge. Behind those two, the Bears will be rotating in Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner a healthy amount, with a revamped interior room.
• The biggest difference for this unit is going to be Devin Bush. The Bears were desperately missing speed at the second level last season and the base defense will be much improved with Bush and D’Marco Jackson playing alongside T.J. Edwards.

Toughest spots to predict

• Outside CB2: This has been a problem position in the past for Chicago’s defense and the Bears were able to get by last season thanks to the surprising play of Nahshon Wright. With Wright out of the picture, the battle for the outside CB2 job will come down to the following players: Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Zah Frazier, and Terell Smith. The Bears can’t afford to let this position be a weak link anymore.
• DT3: This wasn’t a starting position listed above, but I am intrigued who is the first DT off the bench. Neville Gallimore has plenty of experience and speed after signing a two-year deal and I would love to see sixth-round rookie Jordan van den Berg earn plenty of opportunities for himself in Year 1.
• NCB2: When the Bears do go into dime personnel, that’s where DA really gets creative with his coverages and blitzes. Last year, the Bears had a solid dime defender in C.J. Gardner-Johnson, outside of his coverage abilities in man against speedy WRs. I would think veteran free agent Cam Lewis wins that job, but could also see Muhammad kicking inside if he doesn’t win the outside job.