Bears' Dennis Allen Explains Malik Muhammad's Move to Starters

With injuries impacting the Chicago Bears' secondary in training camp, Malik Muhammad has taken advantage of his increased opportunities. 

The Bears' rookie has played snaps at boundary corner and in the slot this summer, increasing the ways the fourth-round pick from Texas could see the field on game days.

Muhammad has lined up with the first-team defense at nickel with veteran defensive back Kyler Gordon still on the physically unable to perform list, and cornerback Jaylon Jones dealing with an injury he sustained last sustained last Thursday.

According to reporters who attended the practices over the weekend, Muhammad has made some plays with the 1s. 

"Rookie CB Malik Muhammad is getting nickel reps with the 1st team D. Had a pass breakup on the first play of 11 on 11," ESPN's Courtney Cronin wrote on Saturday.

Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen spoke to local reporters on Sunday before the Bears' 10th training camp practice and shared what he has seen from the rookie to get reps with the starting defense and what are the challenges playing in the slot. 

“I'll start with the second part of that question first, which is I see him going out and trying to execute the technique that we're asking him to execute," Allen said. "I see him playing with some confidence. I see him, competing and being aggressive. And so those are all things that we want to see. He's continued to get a little bit better every single day that he's been out there. So that's been good to see. What are the challenges? The biggest challenge you’ve got is that you’ve got a big bullseye on your back, and they're going to be challenging you. They're going to be coming after you. And the best corners have really short memories because everybody at some point in time has been beaten. It's just can you come back the next play and have the same mentality in terms of how you challenge and how you compete. And he's shown that he's got the ability to do that.”

Speaking of that bullseye, Allen "absolutely" believes Muhammad has a spotlight on him because he's simply a rookie. 

“I mean any rookie that you put out there on the edge, they're going to have a bullseye," Allen said. "And they're going to try you and see what it looks like. When you're out there, you know you're going to get tested. But that's what any really good corner wants; the ball thrown at them. And he's shown a corner's mentality.”

If Muhammad maintains this mindset and continues to perform throughout the preseason, he will force his way onto the field with the starting defense. With injuries piling up across the Bears' secondary and Gordon's availability remaining a huge question, Muhammad's regular-season debut feels like a matter of when, not if.

Just as the rookie as done throughout training camp, he simply needs to capitalize on every snap that comes his way.