Chicago Bears: Ryan Pace retains talent, also adds to roster

Prince Amukamara, Cornerback

The Bears had some big decisions to make at cornerback. They slapped the transition tag on Kyle Fuller so they still have an opportunity to keep him. They had a need for another cornerback (or two) in order to solidify the position.

The Bears decided to bring Prince Amukamara back. He signed a one year, “prove it” contract last offseason and he proved that, at least for the Bears, he proved it. Pace allowed Amukamara to test the free agency waters. Ultimately, he decided the three-year, $27 million contract the Bears offered, and staying with a top-10 defense were good enough.

The knock on Amukamara is that he doesn’t get interceptions. He has only seven in 83 games and none in his last 36 games. Even so, he does a good job at effecting receivers, getting them out of their routes and allowing other players make the plays.

Amukamara helps the Bears in a number of ways. He provides good veteran leadership. He’s a good guy in the locker room, which is important to a team in transition. There are some younger players coming in and it’s good to have a strong locker room. In addition, the Bears likely pick up a cornerback in the draft. It wouldn’t be bad for that youngster to have Amukamara take him under his wing. He did the same with Fuller and it did him well.

If the Bears lose out on Fuller, they still have Amukamara to step in and do well. Having Fuller back in the fold isn’t a sure thing, so having Amukamara is a plus.