They say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That may sound cliche but it can prove true from time to time. Even in the NFL. The Chicago Bears have narrowed their roster to 80 players. It is now one week to go before they must trim it the rest of the way to 53 by August 31st. A big question that lingers for many is whether GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy might consider bringing in some outside help.
If that is the case, then which positions might get some attention? One that stands out above others is cornerback. Ever since releasing both Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine, the team began their search to find players who could line up with Jaylon Johnson in coverage. Thus far the results have been disappointing. Former 5th round pick Kindle Vildor and former 6th round pick Duke Shelley have looked solid in practice but too often get picked on in games. Veteran Desmond Trufant hasn’t even played due to health setbacks.
Artie Burns? Thomas Graham Jr? Tre Roberson? Not an inspiring bunch.
Perhaps the Bears would be wise to shake up the position just three weeks before their opener in Los Angeles. This is against a Rams team featuring a really good quarterback in Matthew Stafford with really good receivers in Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. As strong as Chicago’s pass rush looks, they were rendered toothless last Saturday by Mitch Trubisky of all people. Why? Everybody not named Johnson couldn’t cover anybody.
Maybe it was just a case of guys getting caught in preseason mode, but can the Bears be sure? No. They should really consider bringing in some help if it’s available. As it so happens, one intriguing option did just pop loose up in the Pacific Northwest. The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with veteran cornerback Pierre Desir. A bit of a surprise since the 30-year old signed with them back in April. He is coming off three interceptions in each of the past two seasons with the Colts and Jets.
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The #Seahawks are releasing veteran CB Pierre Desir, source said. This makes room for Luke Willson. Desir is likely to catch on quickly.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 24, 2021
Toe drag too clean. @pierre_desir #TakeFlight
📺: #DENvsNYJ on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/jQ6nvOCVqi pic.twitter.com/o7phdCqKnd— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2020
PICK-6!@Pierre_Desir's second INT brings the @nyjets within two! #TakeFlight
📺: #DENvsNYJ on @NFLNetwork
📱: NFL App // Yahoo Sports App: https://t.co/jQ6nvOCVqi pic.twitter.com/cfntdSXmzj— NFL (@NFL) October 2, 2020
Desir would be a worthwhile gamble for the Chicago Bears
Nobody is saying the guy is special. He’s a journeyman cornerback who has now worn six different uniforms. That said, he does have a decent track record. His 2018 and 2019 seasons in Indianapolis were solid. Last year he struggled in New York playing on a really bad Jets team under a coordinator in Gregg Williams who is widely panned by experts these days. As a #2 cornerback, he can be more than serviceable.
At least better and more reliable than Trufant has been. That much is certain. The Chicago Bears can’t afford to leave any stone unturned in regards to cornerback. Not with the array of quarterbacks they’re about to face this season. Stafford, Baker Mayfield, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger just in the first half of the season.
That is rough.
Desir might not make it much better, but even marginal improvement is preferable to none at all. If not him, then the Bears may seek options from other teams as final cuts begin next week. Pace has been good at finding talent in unexpected places before. He will need that skill more than ever.
