With preseason football underway, teams around the NFL have already begun making roster cuts in order to trim down to a 53-man roster for the 2021 NFL season. The Chicago Bears already trimmed their roster from 90 to 85 cutting notable players such as Justin Hardy and Ledarius Mack, brother of elite outside linebacker Khalil Mack.
The cuts will continue to come. This year feels different from other years though as depth players are starting to play well making it hard for the Bears to make decisions with who to keep and who to cut. Some players the Bears brought in as “camp bodies” are way outperforming expectations like Jesse James.
Here are some of the players that are showing they deserve more of a shot after their first preseason game.
Chicago Bears Player No. 5: Teez Tabor, Defensive Back
The Chicago Bears already have a solid veteran safety in Tashaun Gipson and a young, elite safety in Eddie Jackson. After that, the Bears have two long-time players who have always been reliable as backups and on special teams in DeAndre Houston-Carson and Deon Bush. After that, the Bears have normally only kept one other safety.
Teez Tabor originally was drafted in the second round to be a cornerback in the NFL. An original first-round talent, Tabor fell after he posted a horrendous 40-yard dash time. The teams that passed on him made the right choice as Tabor didn’t stick with the Detroit Lions and has now switched positions to safety.
Tabor was a ballhawk in college. That’s what made him desirable. In his last two seasons at Florida, Tabor intercepted seven passes, defended 20 passes, and recorded three defensive touchdowns. He consistently flew to the ball. Tabor’s speed just didn’t translate to an NFL corner position. So, he made the switch to safety to mask his speed issue.
Before training camp, Marqui Christian and Jordan Lucas were fighting for the last safety spot. Now, Tabor is starting to make his case. He greatly impressed against the Dolphins in the preseason game. He makes the safety competition wide open now.