The Chicago Bears will have no shortage of position battles to watch this summer, starting this week at minicamp. Following the departure of Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright, there’s a starting job opposite Jaylon Johnson at outside cornerback, which will feature the likes of Tyrique Stevenson, fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad and Terell Smith.
The Bears battled a slew of injuries at cornerback last season, including to Johnson and nickel Kyler Gordon who both missed significant time. Assuming health isn’t an issue, there’s an important starting job up for grabs between a pair of veterans and a high-profile rookie, one that will likely trickle well into training camp and preseason.
ESPN’s NFL analyst Ben Solak listed some of the top position battles to watch this summer, and Chicago’s cornerback battle — specifically Stevenson vs. Muhammad — made his Top 10 list.
The turnover in the Bears’ secondary has left them with a big battle at CB2. Nahshon Wright was a godsend last season for his on-ball production, but the Bears wisely decided to not bet on another five interceptions and three fumble recoveries. Instead, the snaps opposite Jaylon Johnson will go to either the incumbent in Stevenson or a fourth-round rookie in Muhammad. Stevenson was an ascending player before the infamous Hail Mary blunder seemed to ding his confidence. Can he bounce back behind a resurgent Bears team?
Stevenson, who’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, should have the upper hand early in this competition given his previous starting experience and Muhammad needing to work his way up the depth chart. But things could certainly heat up in training camp, especially as Muhammad gets an opportunity to work with defensive backs coach Al Harris, who turned Nahshon Wright into a Pro Bowler in just one season.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Tyrique Stevenson vs. Malik Muhammad: Bears’ CB battle one to watch
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
