Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears have been hit with a rash of injuries, particularly in their secondary, leading them to Deantre Prince.
The Bears have not had starting nickelback Kyler Gordon during training camp, and they also lost backup corner Terell Smith, as well as reserves Jaylon Jones and Dallis Flowers to injuries this spring and summer.
Prince is someone that the Bears coaching staff is familiar with.
Bears Sign Former Jaguars CB Deantre Prince
Deantre Prince Joins Bears
“Deantre Prince signed with #Bears per a league source,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 17.
Wilson noted in a report posted in July that “#Seahawks to work out former #Jaguars corner and fifth-round draft pick Deantre Prince (4.38 speed), per a league source. Played collegiately [at Ole Miss].”
Prince, 26 in October, entered the league as a fifth-round pick. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Prince 153rd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He had 8 total tackles and 1 pass deflection in 10 games as a rookie.
Prince did not see the field during the 2025 regular season. However, Bears offensive coordinator Press Taylor, who is in his second season with the team under Johnson, was in the same role with the Jaguars that season.
The Bears have avoided setbacks at the top of their cornerback depth chart with Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson.
But they have added depth in Beanie Bishop and William Wright amid injuries on the roster.
“Prince plays with an upright posture and lacks desired hip fluidity in his transitions. He could become a more effective press corner but needs to play with greater physicality and effort,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote before the 2024 draft. “He has average instincts and an average nose for the football. His size and willingness in run support help and could make him a Day 3 selection with a chance to become a CB4/5.”
That is all that the Bears need him to be for now, and that could change once the deadline for roster cutdowns (August 30) comes and goes. That gives Prince a short window to impress Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and cornerbacks coach/defensive passing game coordinator Al Harris, or at least create enough buzz to intrigue another suitor.
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