The Chicago Bears defense will have a tough task ahead of them when they battle the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but they may have a big benefit of experience in their back pocket.
Just as every opponent who takes on the Bengals has to be ready for superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Bears are next up for that challenge, but veteran safety Kevin Byard could help his defense be better prepared.
Byard spoke about his experience going up against Chase, pointing out that the secondary the linebackers will need to know where he is at all times. Even without quarterback Joe Burrow in the lineup, Chase has 70 receptions, 720 yards, and five touchdowns, truly making him a threat no matter who is throwing him the ball.
“They just going to try to give those guys the ball,” Byard said. “I would say for us as DBs, and even the linebackers, you have to know where he is on every single play. Because, they’re going to line him up in a lot of different spots. It’s not a guy who they’re going to put at the X or whatever. They’re going to move him around and put him in the slot. They’re going to put him on the outside, they’re going to put him close to the line of scrimmage.
“You have to know where he is. And that tells the story a little bit of what they want to do with him. So, it’s just a guy that they really want to get the ball to and I think he’s leading the league right now in targets, so I think we would be foolish to not point him out on every single step and know where he is.”
Cincinnati also has Tee Higgins on the opposite side of Chase, so the Bears defense will have to choose their poison wisely with Cincinnati’s top offensive threats. Chase continues to show that as long as he stays healthy, he’s got a real argument as the top wide receiver in the league. But Byard is hoping his previous experience can lend the Bears defense an upper hand.
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