Charles Tillman not medically cleared yet
Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman (33) runs after an interception against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedEX Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
The cornerback market will be deep for the second straight offseason, and Chicago Bears veteran Charles Tillman is one of the top second-tier options at the position. Age, injuries, and a down contract year will cause his value to decrease on the open market, but Tillman is still capable of being a very good No. 2 corner in this league. It’s going to be interesting to see where he lands, and he could be a steal if his value plummets enough.
Tillman recently told the Chicago Sun-Times’s Adam L. Jahns that he still hasn’t been medically cleared from his torn right triceps injury that caused him to hit the injured reserve and needed surgery, ‘‘It’s just something I’ve got to wait and see what my doctor says and when he clears me. But I don’t think it will be too much longer, though. Rehab is going pretty good.’’
At 33 and heading to the open market without medical clearance, Tillman’s market will be considerably drier than the ones for the likes of Tarell Brown and Walter Thurmond III. But Tillman’s down year in 2013 was largely due to those knee and triceps injuries, as he was downright money in 2012 with 85 tackles, 16 passes defended, and ten forced fumbles. Tillman is still capable of playing at a high level, but I wonder if he will only obtain a deal close to one year and $5 million.