The Chicago Bears should field one of the better secondaries in the NFL when healthy, but there are serious questions as to when the entire group will get on the field together, as it has yet to occur at any point this offseason.
Chicago’s saving grace might be rookie cornerback Malik Muhammad, a fourth-round pick in April’s draft who entered the organization as a viable challenger to Tyrique Stevenson for the CB2 spot on the outside opposite two-time Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson, but who the coaching staff moved into the nickel cornerback role on Thursday, August 6.
“Muhammad played nickel during the two-minute drill,” ESPN’s Courtney Cronin reported. “He had several reps with the first-team defense.”
Malik Muhammad May End Up Starting at Nickel CB in Place of Kyler Gordon
GettyChicago Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon.
That nickel spot should eventually belong to Kyler Gordon, assuming he can get healthy enough to claim it. Gordon battled multiple soft tissue injuries last season and played in just three games after inking a three-year extension worth $40 million.
The first year of that contract actually begins in September, but Gordon is currently sidelined again with yet another muscle strain.
Former Buffalo Bills defensive back Cam Lewis had occupied Gordon’s spot as the third CB on the field until safety Coby Bryant, Chicago’s most expensive offseason addition at three years and $40 million as well, suffered a hyperextended knee, bone bruise and small fracture during a practice session earlier this week.
Initial reports indicated that Bryant could miss between 8-10 weeks, which would slot him for a return somewhere between Weeks 3-5, assuming no setbacks. Head coach Ben Johnson refuted that report on Thursday morning during a media session, saying that the Bears have not organizationally determined a return timetable for Bryant.
Some in the media took that for optimism, which could mean an earlier return for Bryant than the 8-10 week window. However, until he gets back healthy, Lewis has jumped over to the safety position and opened up the nickel CB for Muhammad. The rookie is battling Jaylon Jones and Josh Blackwell for work at that spot, while Johnson explained Thursday that Gordon remains out indefinitely.
“Johnson said there is no update on Kyler Gordon (calf), who is on PUP, and when he might return to practice,” Cronin wrote.
“We’re just continuing to rehab,” Johnson said, per Cronin.
Malik Muhammad Likely to Start Somewhere in Bears’ Secondary Week 1 Due to Injuries
GettyChicago Bears safety Coby Bryant.
Injuries may have aided Stevenson in keeping his job as Chicago’s second outside cornerback, at least until Bryant and Gordon return healthy and Muhammad begins breathing down his neck again as longterm competition for the role.
Ben Solak of ESPN and Dane Brugler of The Athletic both projected Muhammad as an eventual starter heading into the draft this spring.
“Muhammad can be out-physicalled at times, but he plays with good reaction quickness and route instincts, which help him stay attached in man or zone,” Brugler wrote. “He projects as a starter, with shades of Greg Newsome II.”
Wherever it ends up being, either on the outside at CB2 or at the nickel CB position, Muhammad appears primed to start for the Bears Week 1 absent an injury of his own or ultra quick returns to the field for Bryant and/or Gordon.
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