{"id":771923,"date":"2026-07-19T11:05:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T11:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/771923\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T11:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T11:05:09","slug":"terell-smith-finally-gives-the-bears-defense-some-good-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/771923\/","title":{"rendered":"Terell Smith Finally Gives The Bears Defense Some Good News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a>\u2018 defense has been on the wrong end of positive updates for the past year. They were beset by a dozen injuries last season across all four main position groups. Nowhere more so than the cornerbacks. Jaylon Johnson missed half the season with a core issue. Kyler Gordon only played three games because of several soft tissue problems. This made it easy to forget the team also lost Terell Smith, their promising former 5th round pick, who tore his ACL in the preseason.<\/p>\n

So far, the positive news hasn\u2019t returned. Johnson looks healthy again, but Gordon didn\u2019t practice in OTAs or minicamps. The depth situation is looking somewhat iffy. Rookie 4th round pick Malik Muhammad has been getting looks at nickel corner. Tyrique Stevenson, who was benched last season, is the only clear boundary corner they have. Thankfully, that appears no longer the case. Smith posted a video on Instagram that suggests the cornerback is fully recovered from his ACL injury and ready for training camp.<\/p>\n

Really looking forward to seeing CB Terell Smith back out on the field for the Bears after he missed the entire 2025 season. <\/p>\n

Great depth for the CB room. \ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfa5: terellsmith_ via IG pic.twitter.com\/WdfJ5JUg4o<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Bearsszn (@bearszn) July 18, 2026<\/a> Terell Smith returning couldn\u2019t be better timed.<\/p>\n

They missed him a lot last season. While Naishon Wright emerged as an unlikely hero for the Bears, the pass defense was still weak on the back end too often. Though not a star, Smith had proven to be dependable when given opportunities. He played quite well in 2024, allowing just a 72.4 passer rating when targeted. Last season felt like his prime chance to seize a greater role on defense. That is what made the knee injury such a gut punch. He\u2019d been having a good training camp and preseason.<\/p>\n

The good news is the competition hasn\u2019t gotten much stiffer since last year. Wright is gone, as is former 5th round pick Zah Frazier. Right now, Terell Smith is battling Muhammad, Stevenson, and veteran Cam Little for snaps on defense. The smart thing for him to do would be to put in extra work in the slot. Gordon\u2019s ongoing health uncertainty makes that job the most likely to come open at some point. If Smith can show progress in that department, he\u2019ll get more work.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd25 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel<\/a> to hear Chicago legends tell stories you\u2019ve never seen in headlines \u2014 real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.<\/p>\n

Urgency will certainly be on his mind.<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t just playing time that Smith will be fighting for. Don\u2019t forget that 2026 represents the last year of his rookie contract. A lot of money is at stake. Putting together a strong season might get him a significant payday in free agency next spring, presuming the Bears don\u2019t decide to retain him. The same goes for Stevenson. That should certainly create a competition with an edge to it. Both young men are playing for their futures. No doubt the coaches hope both will arrive at camp with chips on their shoulders.<\/p>\n

Smith is no stranger to being counted out. It took him four years in college before he finally earned a starting job with Minnesota. Rallying from early disappointment is a familiar feeling for him. He\u2019s certainly preparing like someone who knows what\u2019s at stake. His resurgence would be a massive boon for a defense that could use one ahead of an uncertain season.<\/p>\n