Bears have 20-20 vision on a lofty goal for their budding defense

(670 The Score) The Bears believe they have one of the NFL’s top five defenses entering the 2024 season, and they've set a goal to help achieve that status.

Bears third-year nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon revealed that he and his defensive teammates are chasing the feat of intercepting 20 passes and forcing 20 fumbles this season, a pair of statistical marks that, if achieved, would certainly go a long way to establishing the Chicago defense as one of the best in the NFL.

“I’m all about proving it,” Gordon said. “You can say a lot of things. I would say that I definitely feel a lot from that defense as far as chemistry, energy and just the type of timing that we’re on. For all of us to be on the same page and a step further than last year, I picture a lot of things for us in the future. I’m just excited.

“However we got to get it, we’re going to get it. That’s just kind of the standard that we’re putting ourselves to, that we all hold each other to.”

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has addressed the goal with his defense on previous occasions. It falls in line with his HITS principle, which places an emphasis on forcing turnovers.

No team in the NFL has had 20 interceptions and 20 forced fumbles since 2012, when it was accomplished by both the Bears and the Patriots. Even in a league that expanded to a 17-game regular season in 2021, that's still a lofty benchmark to reach.

In 2023, the Bears recorded 15 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles – marks that each increased significantly late in the season following Chicago's midseason acquisition of Pro Bowl pass rusher Montez Sweat. Chicago returns most of its defensive core in 2024, with the most notable addition being two-time All-Pro safety Kevin Byard starting now in the secondary alongside third-year safety Brisker.

“You look at the great defenses,” Brisker said. “The Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can name them. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Chicago Bears, you can name so many defenses, and their success has been creating turnovers, playing all together and being top five in all of those statistics.

“I really don’t feel like it’s too much pressure. I feel like the pressure should always be on us. Defense wins championships.

“We’re going to have big shoulders, and we’re going to take it all this year.”

Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 .