3 Chicago Bears players who could be cut by training camp’s end
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears cornerback Duke Shelley could be cut by the end of training camp
One of the areas the Bears desperately needed to switch up this year was in their secondary, and that’s exactly what Ryan Poles did in the 2022 NFL Draft. Using the Bears’ first two picks on defensive backs Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker should alarm many others from that position group.
The Bears also signed veteran slot corner Tavon Young this offseason, who is one of the better slot cornerbacks in the league when healthy. Over the past couple of years, the Bears have tried a couple of players at this position; one being Duke Shelley.
A sixth-round pick three years ago, Shelley has played fine in his time with the Bears. He has not been good by any means, and he’s had his fair share of blunders. Now, with the hopeful rising of second-year pro Thomas Graham Jr., there may not be room for Shelley in the slot. The Bears very well could go with Young and Graham at that position, and Shelley isn’t exactly cut out to play on the outside.
A smaller guy at just 5-foot-9, Shelley has had an uphill battle ever since being drafted late. But, he’s managed to stick around for three seasons. Now, a product of Ryan Pace, he’s definitely in danger of losing a job in Chicago. Look for Graham to continue to ascend, and if he does, then Shelley is gone.