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- calendar_today October 15, 2026
Bears Defense Tested After Deep Passing Breakdown Against Packers
The Chicago Bears defense is making adjustments after Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love exposed their vulnerability to deep passes. In their latest matchup, Love completed six passes that traveled at least 20 yards in the air, amassing 258 yards. This total marks the second-highest in the NFL on such throws over the past decade.
Coaches and Players Brace for Imitation
Defensive backs coach Al Harris acknowledged on Thursday that other teams will likely attempt similar tactics. "Teams are not gonna stop throwing the ball up top," Harris said, noting that opponents will continue to exploit any proven weakness. He stressed the importance of not fearing these challenges, encouraging his players to expect and prepare for more deep passing attempts.
Falcons and Patriots on the Horizon
The Falcons are next to test the Bears’ secondary, followed closely by the Patriots. While Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson observed that few teams possess deep-threat receivers like the Packers, he pointed to Atlanta’s Drake London as a notable exception. London, currently fourth in the NFL with 488 receiving yards, is known for his physical style and ability to stretch defenses vertically. Atlanta’s quarterback Michael Penix is also known for his willingness to attempt deep passes.
Defensive Struggles and Suspensions Compound Issues
The Bears’ defense has struggled, surrendering 37 points to the Panthers in Week 1 and 31 to the Packers last Sunday. Although Chicago only allowed 28 points over three intervening games, recent defensive lapses have led to concerns. On Tuesday, those concerns deepened when defensive end Montez Sweat received a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. Combined with a quad injury to Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears’ ability to generate a pass rush is diminished, putting additional pressure on the secondary.
Potential Reinforcements and the Need for Improvement
Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon may soon return from the physically-unable-to-perform list, potentially giving defensive coordinator Dennis Allen another asset. However, Allen emphasized that the current roster must show improvement to avoid repeated breakdowns in coverage. Pro Football Focus has graded Jaylon Johnson and rookie Malik Muhammad among the league’s lowest-performing cornerbacks, increasing the urgency for better execution.
Focus on Physicality and Assignment Discipline
As Chicago preps for Atlanta, the emphasis is on disciplined play and matching the physicality of opponents like London. Johnson stated the importance of minding assignments and not overextending, while safety and nickel cornerback Cam Lewis stressed the need to be physical in response to London’s aggressive play. “We’ve got to get that fixed,” Allen said, highlighting deep pass defense as a primary area of focus during practice this week.
Conclusion
With their secondary under scrutiny and key pieces missing from the pass rush, the Bears defense faces a crucial test against the Atlanta Falcons. As they aim to avoid a repeat of last week’s deep-pass struggles against Jordan Love, all eyes will be on how Chicago adjusts and responds to the challenge presented by Michael Penix, Drake London, and the Falcons’ offense.
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
