On Sunday, news broke that the Chicago Bears released veteran cornerback Tim Jennings. To some, this move didn’t come as much of a surprise, as Jennings struggled mightily in 2014. There have been questions as to whether or not he would fit in Vic Fangio’s 3-4 defense. But to others, it was a real eye-opener. It wasn’t long ago when Jennings, now a two-time pro-bowler, led the National Football League in interceptions with 9 (2012). The plan was for Jennings to play nickel and in the slot this season.
“Once the whole regime came in and everybody was here, I kind of knew, but they also gave me a heads up and told me I would be out there competing for a job.” Jennings told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. “I had my best years here. I made two Pro Bowls
. I played some good football. I had some ups and downs with injuries but for me, this is where I played my best football.”
With Jennings now out of Chicago, you may be wondering who the Bears will look to replace the former pro-bowl CB. Well, if you were to ask me, cornerback is probably the weak-spot on this defense. There is not a lot of depth, at all.
In the offseason, the Bears signed two veteran cornerbacks in Alan Ball, who played the previous two seasons in Jacksonville, and Tracy Porter, who has bounced around the league over the last few years, but is famously known for making the game-sealing pick-six in Super Bowl XLIV. If those two vets are healthy, they can be better-than-average at their position but that’s a big if. Week 7 of last year, Ball’s season was cut short as he tore his biceps. As for Porter, he has only played a full season once in his seven-year career.
With the exception of Ball and Porter, the remaining players the Bears have at the position remain unproven. Kyle Fuller, last years first round pick, will be asked to do a lot this season as the teams #1 corner. As impressive as his first two or three games were, Fuller really struggled, especially in the second half of last season and if his performance in training camp/preseason indicates how he will look this year, it might just be another tough-go for the second-year player.
Terrance Mitchell, another second-year corner who was on the Bears practice squad until he was called up to the active roster in October, has looked not only like Chicago’s best CB but the teams best DB in training camp and throughout the first three preseason games. I personally don’t see any way the Bears let him go.
Sherrick McManis has been earning his paychecks by playing special teams ever since he entered the league in 2010 as an undrafted free-agent with the Houston Texans. During the Bears third preseason game against Cincinnati, McManis got the start at nickel back. All signs point to the six-year vet getting his shot on defense.
Demontre Hurst has also had his fair-share of snaps at nickel with the first-team defense as well. Hurst is a versatile defender who’s entering his third year with the Bears, and has shown that he can play both CB and S.
Remaining cornerbacks who are currently on the roster: Al Louis-Jean, Bryce Callahan, Qumain Black, and Jacoby Glenn. 3/4 of which are rookies. If any one of those three players make it past the teams first wave of cuts (all teams must trim their roster down to 75 players by Tuesday) then they must make the most of the extended playing time they will likely see in the final preseason game against Cleveland, and even that may not be enough.
Twitter: @ChrisShanafelt
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