Young Bloods: Ranking the Top 9 Bears Players 25 and Under

A few things: Pro Football Focus's list arbitrarily caps player age at 25. For these purposes, I'll arbitrarily include players currently 25 and under since that tends to be the cutoff point between a rookie contract and a player's first contract extension. I'll also exclude the rookie class from this ranking, namely Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams. Sure, they could already make a case based purely on talent, but let's not put the cart before the horse.

1. Jaylon Johnson (25 years old)

At the top of the list is one of the few Ryan Pace holdovers in cornerback Jaylon Johnson. Johnson, who turned 25 at the end of April, has cemented himself as a premier shutdown cornerback in the NFL.

Fresh off a four-year, $76 million contract extension with the Bears, Johnson put up career numbers in 2023 by snatching four interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. As a result, Johnson was awarded his first Pro Bowl honors and finished the season as Pro Football Focus's highest-rated cornerback (90.8) through Week 17.

2. Cole Kmet (25 years old)

Had Ryan Pace had the same success drafting that he did in 2020 when he nabbed both Cole Kmet and Jaylon Johnson, you could make a case he'd still be the Bears' general manager.

Kmet, who turned 25 in March of this year, finished the 2023 season with 73 receptions (eighth among all tight ends), 719 yards (ninth amongst tight ends), and six touchdowns (tied for second amongst tight ends). Also, as a road grader in the blocking game, Kmet has a case for being arguably the best all-around tight end in the NFL when you account for his tenacity as a blocker and his prowess as a receiver.

3. Kyler Gordon (24 years old)

Kyler Gordon, now 24 years old, was Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles' first draft pick, and the former Washington standout has cemented himself as one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL. With teams punishing defenses that trot out undersized defensive backs to play nickel, Gordon has answered the call as a vicious tackler and ball-hawking cornerback.

After breaking his hand in the season opener and missing the next four weeks, Gordon was able to amass a stat sheet with 61 tackles (three TFL), one sack, three QB hits, six PBUs, and two interceptions. Gordon's infectious demeanor sets the tone for the secondary. If the young cornerback can stay healthy, he'll undoubtedly be considered one of the better defensive backs leaguewide and not just within Bears fans' circles.

4. Darnell Wright (22 years old)

Billed as a plug-and-play right tackle, Darnell Wright lived up to his pre-draft analysis almost immediately for the Bears. The former Tennessee Vol battled a shoulder injury through much of the season, but that didn't stop him from stonewalling Aiden Hutchinson against the Lions and being the only rookie lineman from 2023 who played at least 100 snaps and registered 60+ run blocking and 60+ pass blocking grade.

Wright looks to be the Bears' long-term solution at right tackle, and he should continue to be a force now that he's fully healthy and has a year of experience under his belt.

5. Braxton Jones (25 years old)

The epicenter of speculation this offseason as to whether his spot was in jeopardy, Braxton Jones heads into the Bears' offseason program as the starting left tackle on the offensive line, and for good reason. Jones, who missed Weeks 3 through 8 with a neck injury, put together another solid season as Justin Fields' blindside protector.

A former fifth-round pick, the 25-year-old Jones allowed only two sacks and two QB hits across his 11 contests. If Jones has one area to improve, it'd be his penalties. He had nine last season, and if he can clean up that part of his game, there's still plenty of room to grow as the lynchpin on the offensive line.

6. Tyrique Stevenson (23 years old)

The Bears were able to parlay the first overall pick in 2023 into a bevy of young talent that has set the stage for long-term success. The trade with the Carolina Panthers last season not only netted the Bears their crown jewel in Caleb Williams but also got them Darnell Wright and Tyrique Stevenson.

Stevenson, a second-round pick in 2023, nabbed four interceptions , two forced fumbles, 86 tackles, and 16 passes defended in his rookie season. Like Gervon Dexter Sr. before him, Stevenson's development was evident as his final six games displayed legitimate growth in a secondary rife with talent.

7. Gervon Dexter Sr. (22 years old)

Last year's second-round draft pick, Gervon Dexter Sr., made Bears fans forget about the prospect of drafting Jalen Carter as the former Florida product found his footing in the NFL as the season wore on. Dexter ranked third amongst all rookie interior defensive linemen in his pass-rush win rate, and his production saw a drastic increase as the year wore on; his 2.5 sacks all came in the last month of the season.

Only 22, Dexter still has plenty of room to grow as the proverbial "engine of the defense" at the 3-tech, but his growth in his rookie season alone is enough to be plenty excited about.

8. Jaquan Brisker (25 years old)

The second-ever pick of the Matt Eberflus and Ryan Poles regime, Jaquan Brisker has been a complementary force running alongside Eddie Jackson at the safety position.

Brisker logged 66 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 2023. Similar to his draft compadre Kyler Gordon, Brisker's biggest hurdle will be his health, as he consistently seems to be a presence in the blue medical tent. The on-field play speaks for itself, though.

9. Jack Sanborn (23 years old)

Somewhat forgotten in the weeds after the Bears signed Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards was 2022's UDFA out of Wisconsin, Jack Sanborn.

As the Bears' starting weakside linebacker, Sanborn played 412 snaps last season, accrued 43 tackles, and an interception on the much-improved Matt Eberflus defense. A tone-setter in run defense, Sanborn has a place on the roster and continues to display the toughness and grit that made the fan base fall in love with him in 2022.

Final Thoughts

In a year, I wouldn't be surprised to see Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams on the 2025 PFF list. Ryan Poles has injected a youth movement into the Bears' roster, and the team appears poised for sustained success if this year's rookie class can supplement the foundation laid by previous draft classes. And the team itself has some of its best players still well within their prime: Tremaine Edmunds is only 26, TJ Edwards is 27, Montez Sweat is 27, and Teven Jenkins is 26.

Finally, it seems like the Bears are ready to come out of hibernation.