Taylor Doll and Jerry Azumah Predict Bears’ Secondary

Taylor Doll’s “Making Monsters” podcast welcomed former Chicago Bears Pro Bowler Jerry Azumah for a season‑preview chat. Azumah, a seven‑year cornerback tenure in Chicago, offered his take on the Bears’ defensive backs and why they could be a disruptive force next fall.

Bears’ Starters Take Shape

According to the discussion, the projected starting lineup features Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson at corner, Kyler Gordon at nickel, and a safety duo of Coby Bryant and rookie Dillon Thieneman. Azumah highlighted the blend of experience and fresh talent, calling the group “very athletic” and noting the veteran leadership already in place.

The former Pro Bowler praised Thieneman as “a hell of an addition,” especially when paired with the Super Bowl‑winning Bryant. He described the pairing as a potential “nice one‑two punch,” but warned that chemistry will still need to develop. “They have all the talent in the world to go out there and be successful and be dominant,” Azumah added.

Why This Secondary Matters

Jerry’s insights come amid Dennis Allen’s overhaul of Chicago’s defense. The scheme emphasizes speed and versatility, traits that match the background of the incoming players. With Caleb Williams leading the offense, the Bears aim to balance attack modes, and a solid third‑phase unit could tighten up red‑zone exposure.

The importance of this unit stretches beyond just stopping passes. A healthy secondary can elevate the entire defense, create opportunities for blitz packages, and give the offensive line more breathing room. Analysts see the new look as a potential catalyst for a turnaround in 2024.

Listen and Watch the Full Conversation

Make sure you check out her show in either of the embeds below for her full discussion with Zoom!

Our 2nd City Gridiron Podcast Channel is available on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Audacy, and other popular podcast platforms, so hit subscribe wherever you get your audio. Our YouTube home is also called 2nd City Gridiron, so subscribe there for our pods and other video content.

The 2nd City Gridiron team now has a merchandise store! Support your favorite content creators right here!