The Chicago Bears upgraded their cornerback room with the addition of rookie Kyler Gordon, who is expected to start on the outside opposite Jaylon Johnson.
While the Bears have certainty on the outside, the same can’t be said for the nickel cornerback position, which is currently up for grabs. Bears cornerbacks coach James Rowe indicated that there’s a competition at nickel brewing.
“There is some great competition right there,” Rowe said, via NBC Sports Chicago. “Some great players there. Each of them have a little bit different things that make them special, so I’m excited to see how that turns out for us.”
The Bears signed Tavon Young this offseason, who’s established himself as a dependable guy in the slot. He’s certainly the favorite to win the job this simmer. But it also sounds like second-year pro Thomas Graham is giving him a run for his money, as Graham has been working with the nickels.
“I love him, you know. He puts in extra time,” Rowe said of Graham. “He comes up and meets with David Overstreet, who coaches our nickels mostly. He comes up and meets up with him every morning at 7 a.m. Very smart player. He is able to handle the workload outside and inside. He is intent on being good, and we love what we see from him so far.”
Graham was a late bloomer during his rookie season, where he spent most of the year on the practice squad. But after Chicago’s entire secondary was ravaged by COVID-19, Graham started in a Week 15 prime-time game against the Minnesota Vikings. And Graham immediately had an impact, which left many excited for his potential in 2022.
While Graham isn’t going to win the starting job on the outside against the likes of Johnson and Gordon, there’s a chance for him to make an impact in the slot.
