Sometimes, things are just meant to be, and the Chicago Bears seemed destined to have Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad on their team.
The Bears selected Muhammad in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft in the hopes of providing some much-needed depth in the secondary. After getting selected, Muhammad told the media that he had a connection to a former Bears cornerback and looked up to a current corner on the team.
"Peanut Tillman was like a chaperone at the combine, so we were talking a little bit. He was giving me some tips on how he used to punch the ball out, how he used to prepare for games, and things like that. And actually in a couple of my interviews, if they were to ask me who were some corners I watched in the league, I would mention Jaylon Johnson and be like, 'Yeah he's actually nice.' I don't watch a lot of new age corners. I'm really like an old-school corner, but Jaylon Johnson is one of the guys I mentioned."
Malik Muhammad has a few connections to Bears cornerbacks past and present
Johnson is a guy Muhammad should look up to, as he has been a two-time Pro Bowler for the Bears in 2023 and 2024. While the 2025 season was a wash due to injury, Johnson is still one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Tillman, of course, everyone in Chicago knows as the inventor of the "Peanut Punch" during his 12 years with the Bears. He forced 44 fumbles during his NFL career, including a league record 10 of them coming in the 2012 season.
Muhammad has a lot of upside to his game and already looks to be a fan favorite with his demeanor and play on the field. He might have a shot to challenge Tyrique Stevenson for the CB2 job in training camp.
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The Bears might get praised for selecting Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman in the first round, but the Muhammad pick might be the sleeper of the draft.
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