To begin training camp, the Chicago Bears were of course without starting nickel Kyler Gordon, as he continues to try and work his way back from injury.
In the first team practice, there were a handful of guys who were tasked with trying to fill his shoes. For now, it appears as though Jaylon Jones, Cam Lewis and rookie Malik Muhammad will be the ones competing for Gordon's vacant role, according to Bears beat reporter Larry Mayer.
The most intriguing of that group is, of course, the rookie. Muhammad is a guy I speculated could take a stab at the slot job, weeks ago. And, in a perfect world, Muhammad is able to stand out and win this starting role as a rookie.
Malik Muhammad's potential role change could be exactly what the Bears need
Chicago already has their outside corners set for this season in Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. Presumably, Muhammad could be Stevenson's replacement in 2027 when he hits free agency. But, for now, the best outcome could be for him to become a stud in the slot.
Lewis came over from Buffalo having been more of a reserve and rotational guy, anyway. Jones has been mostly a career backup. Both are good in those roles. The absolute best-case scenario, outside of Gordon coming back to the field, would be for Muhammad to step in here.
Muhammad's build and skill set would be incredibly fun to watch in the slot. He's a little lengthier for a slot corner, standing six feet, 182 pounds. Coming out of Texas, he was viewed as someone who had starter potential due to a slew of traits, and of course, that potential was to be on the outside. However, Dennis Allen may be thinking a role change is in store.
His best trait, overall, might be his vision and football IQ. He displayed great vision in college, and he'll need all the knowledge to man a spot like nickel in Dennis Allen's defense.
"There's a lot of stuff that goes on at that position," Allen told the Bears media after their first practice. "In terms of when you play inside in the nickel, you've got things that are happening on the outside of you, you have things that are happening on the inside of you, you've got more responsibility in the run game. There's just a lot more that goes along with playing that position.
"The kid's smart."
"We'll give him a look at it and see where he's at and let the competition throughout the course of training camp kind of play out."
Allen tried not to disparage his outside corners by saying things are much tougher on the inside, but it's the truth. Allen is known for his prowess with defensive backs, and he asks them to do a lot; his slot corner, especially.
Muhammad's reaction time and vision will really be tested after only spending a handful of snaps in the slot during his college days. He's almost an extension of this defensive line, too, which is another hot topic.
The Bears don't necessarily have what it takes to rush the passer, if you were to ask most fans. When a healthy Kyler Gordon is on the field, we often see him blitzing the quarterback or being one of the first to help in run support. They are gigantic shoes to fill, but if Muhammad can fill them, then the Bears are in great shape.
What happens if Muhammad becomes a stud in the slot? I suppose that's a great problem to have next year. Then, the Bears go out and address Stevenson's replacement via free agency or the draft.
Or maybe, they retain Stevenson. All options are still on the table, although the assumption has been Stevenson will sign elsewhere. But, we'll see.
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For now, the hope is that Muhammad can lock down the nickel position. That would give this Bears defense more of an identity and plenty of time to gel more as a unit if he's able to show out early on.
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