Chicago Bears: Cornerback Marcus Cooper in danger of getting cut
The Chicago Bears signed Marcus Cooper to provide help at cornerback. After a boneheaded mistake last season, however, he’s struggled. Now he’s in danger of not making the team.
The Chicago Bears‘ cornerback situation has been an up-and-down experience lately. They landed Kyle Fuller in the first round (14th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He started fast out of the gate, but then became a hit-or-miss kind of player. Last season, however, he put it together and had a very good season. The team rewarded him with a four-year, $56 million contract.
The same could be said about Prince Amukamara. Since the New York Giants let him walk away after the 2015 season, he’s signed one-year contracts with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Bears. He played well enough to earn a multi-year contract with Chicago.
Last season, the Bears signed Marcus Cooper to solidify the cornerback unit. After Fuller’s troubles in 2016 cost him some of his coaches’ favor, Cooper was to step in. He had 11 tackles in his first three games, but made one of the most bone-headed moves ever made.
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He picked up a blocked field goal and was going into the end zone for an easy touchdown. However, he celebrated too early and was run down before he scored. The Bears eventually settled for a field goal and had to go to overtime to win the game.
It seems that, after that mistake, Cooper’s fortunes took a dive. After that, he recorded just four tackles the rest of the season and finished without an interception. He lost his spot to Fuller, who took advantage of the chance. Cooper found himself without many opportunities the rest of 2017.
In 2018, things seem to be the same. In training camp, Cooper lost some time to rookies like Kevin Tolliver and John Franklin III. An injury kept Tolliver from playing, but the Bears hope to have him play in the second preseason game.
Cooper played a lot in the Chicago Bears’ first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but had a tough time. He made no impact plays and allowed four receptions. The coaches got a long look at him, but I don’t think they saw much.
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It looks like there is one spot left open for competition. Unless something unexpected happens, Bryce Callahan and Cre’von LeBlanc join Fuller and Amukamara. If Tolliver is healthy, the battle probably comes down between him and Cooper. Franklin likely becomes a practice squad player.
Cooper cannot relax and feel he has it made. His play hasn’t been good, and if it continues, he’ll find his way out of Chicago.