The Chicago Bears defense lost one of its key contributors this offseason when nickel cornerback Bryce Callahan signed with the Denver Broncos in free agency, but GM Ryan Pace acted quickly to find his replacement in former New York Jet, Buster Skrine.
Skrine and is expected to bring a bit more physicality to the position and he’s already been impressed by the culture in the Bears locker room.
“Just to be in that group of guys,” Skrine said last week following OTAs. “Everybody’s good. Everybody’s professional. No distractions.”
Unlike what’s happening with Skrine’s former employer in New York, Chicago has suddenly become a leading example of stability in the NFL. It’s something that will attract even more free agents in the future.
As for Skrine, new defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend is excited about what he’ll bring to the Bears defense this season.
“[Skrine] will mix it up in the run, he can blitz, and he’s reliable. He’s tough. One thing about the nickel position, you have to do a little bit of both. You can’t just go out on third down and cover the option routes. Now they go hand off the ball, they find where you’re at and you have to go make the tackle. He’s tough enough.”
Skrine should have plenty of opportunities to produce at a career-high level. The Bears’ pass rush will give aggressive cornerbacks like him the ability to make a play on the ball in the passing game and even pick up an extra couple of sacks as a pass rusher, too.
Skrine started 11 games in 2018 and finished the year with 58 tackles, eight passes defended and one fumble recovery.
