With the Chicago Bears entering Week 11 with a 6-3 record, it’s time to start assessing the team’s chances for a playoff push. Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams have been a success in their first season and Sunday’s victory over the New York Giants may have Ryan Poles wondering which areas he needs to shore up in the coming weeks.
One of the biggest weaknesses on the Bears right now is cornerback. With Jaylon Johnson out due to core muscle surgery and Nahshon Wright struggling in coverage, the Bears would be best served looking for an upgrade even with the trade deadline come and gone.
With that, Tuesday could be an important day for the Bears’ corners as The Leap’s Jason B. Hirschhorn reports that free agent Asante Samuel Jr. is scheduled to meet with the team. While there are no guarantees, Samuel would be a key addition to the Bears' playoff chances and could give them the depth they need.
Asante Samuel Jr. Could Be the Answer to the Bears’ Cornerback Problem
If the Bears are looking for a starting cornerback, Samuel has the resume to fit what they’re looking for. According to Pro Football Focus, Samuel has allowed a 62.2% completion rate, 791 yards and 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions and 30 pass breakups over his four years with the Los Angeles Chargers. The former second-round pick also has 3,083 career defensive snaps, which would immediately bring some experience to the Bears’ secondary.
While Samuel would be an impressive addition, he comes with some risk after undergoing spinal fusion surgery last spring. The procedure had him on the free agent market for the first half of the season but after being medically cleared to return to football activities Samuel has gone on a free agent tour including the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers.
At this point, the Bears could use a cornerback like Samuel. But it could come down to what they are selling. Chicago’s status as a contender gives them a lift over a team like the Vikings and prying him away from the Packers, 49ers or Panthers could be a victory in its own right as Chicago battles those teams for a playoff spot.
But the Bears really could use a corner like Samuel. Wright bounced back from a tough stretch against the Giants on Sunday but his carriage may be turning into a pumpkin after allowing 28 catches for 378 yards and five touchdowns in coverage according to PFF. Tyrique Stevenson has also had issues allowing 168 yards and nine catches on 12 targets in a Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Johnson and Kyler Gordon on injured reserve, signing Samuel would be a big boost for Dennis Allen’s defense. If they want to be true contenders, they’ll have to make a move like this happen or risk seeing their promising start to the season go down the drain.
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