The Chicago Bears are hoping for bounce-back seasons from several players, particularly in their secondary, and Keionte Scott could be part of the solution.
Scott’s most recent stop is a familiar pipeline for the Bears.
The Bears have remade their safety group, and their current group of cornerbacks all battled injuries or other setbacks last season, including all three intended starters from 2025, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson.
Bears Set to Get Closer Looks at Hurricanes’ Keionte Scott
Bears Could Target Keionte Scott in 2026 NFL Draft
KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported in a post on X on April 6 that the Bears are among the teams on Scott’s list of “30” visits ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. They had boots on the ground for the Hurricanes’ pro day in March.
Scott measured in at 5-foot-11 and 193 pounds at the combine. He profiles as a strong fit at nickelback in a zone-heavy scheme. Notably, Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has favored man-coverage, but the Bears were among the most zone-heavy teams in 2025, per Sharp Football Analysis.
Scott boasts the kind of closing speed that could help him adjust as needed.
The Ringer’s Todd McShay compared Scott favorably to Houston Texans nickelback Jalen Pitre, who is a safety by trade, but has become one of the best playmakers in the game at his position.
“Scott is an outstanding competitor with the toughness, burst, and speed to overcome concerns about his position fit,” McShay wrote in his profile, adding that the prospect is “one of the top nickel prospects and a potential top-50 prospect in this draft.”
The Bears need to hedge their bets behind their top trio at corner.
Bears Facing Secondary Uncertainty
On paper, the Bears still have two-time Pro Bowl corner Johnson, Gordon (who they extended last offseason), and fellow former second-round pick and ex-Hurricane, Stevenson, on the roster. However, Gordon and Johnson battled soft-tissue injuries beginning in the offseason program through the campaign.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson has wondered aloud about soft-tissue injuries being persistent.
The Bears turned away from Stevenson, who occupied Jaylon Johnson’s left cornerback spot while Nahshon Wright started on the right side, and they will need him to return to the form that he showed before getting demoted.
Chicago turned to C.J. Gardner-Johnson amid Gordon’s injury last season. Like Wright (New York Jets), Gardner-Johnson signed left in free agency (Buffalo Bills). Veteran reserve Terell Smith also missed the 2025 season due to an injury, while fellow holdover Josh Blackwell has become a core special teamer.
Moreover, 2025 fifth-round pick Zah Frazier is an unknown after missing his rookie campaign due to a personal matter.
Scott could be a fitting target for the Bears in the heart of the draft, assuming they have not already addressed their presumed need earlier.
