The Chicago Bears have fostered a culture of competition at training camp. Everybody on the roster has an equal opportunity to make an impression and fight for playing time. That is how GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus want it. Starting late round picks, or even undrafted free agents, isn’t a concern if they earn that opportunity. It’s how Braxton Jones got the left tackle job last year. One thing about the 2023 training camp is the competition is hotter than ever. Nowhere more so than at cornerback.
All eyes have been on rookies Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith, battling for the starting outside corner spot opposite Jaylon Johnson. Both have looked great in practice for the past two weeks. Yet they haven’t been the only ones. Another forgotten name has quietly put together a strong camp. Josh Blackwell was a revelation for the Bears last season as an undrafted rookie. Not only did he become one of their best players on special teams, but he also didn’t look too bad when forced into the lineup on defense because of injuries.
That momentum seems to have picked up speed based on reports from camp.
The Chicago Bears have quite a secondary.
Poles made a conscious effort to reload the cornerback position over the past two off-seasons. He drafted Kyler Gordon in the 2nd round last year. Now he adds Stevenson and Smith in the 2nd and 5th rounds this year. All three seem like they have bright futures ahead of them. Yet Blackwell might be his best find. Not only does he have a certain knack for playing the difficult nickel position, but he’s also already a special teams ace. He’s giving off serious Corey Graham vibes. The Bears made the mistake of not giving Graham more playing times all those years ago.
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Here’s hoping they don’t do the same with Blackwell. This kid can play. Everything points to that reality. The problem is the depth chart ahead of him. All of a sudden, the Chicago Bears are deep at cornerback. Jaylon Johnson and Gordon are locked in as starters. Stevenson looks like the current favorite to win that third and final spot. That means barring an injury, it will be difficult for Blackwell to get on the field. Here’s hoping he does lose patience. At this current rate, the coaches can’t hold him back forever.
