Cornerback Prince Amukamara’s future in Chicago is far from guaranteed beyond this season. Even though the nine-year veteran believes he’s still getting better. That’s just the nature of the NFL.
“My mindset is — I call it ‘checking the engine’ — listening to my body, and can I still play press?” Amukamara said. “Can I still cover? And I feel I proved that this year.”
The numbers haven’t been there for Amukamara this season. He has zero interceptions after garnering three a season ago. While his 10 pass break-ups are encouraging, his struggles have been amplified this season, including allowing a 75-yard touchdown reception from David Blough to Kenny Golladay on Thanksgiving.
“There were a couple of plays that happened this year that, to the fans or the regular eye, no one knows what happened in the defense. But in here, we know,” Amukamara said. “I feel like I had a pretty good year. Numbers and stats might not show it. But if you put on the film, you see what I’m doing.”
But the Bears’ decision to possibly cut Amukamara is also related to the $10 million cap hit and younger options at the position. If the Bears decide to part ways with Amukamara after this season, they have second-year cornerback Kevin Toliver waiting in the wings — and could turn to the NFL Draft to address the position.
“It’s always cheaper and younger. [I’m] definitely aware of that,” Amukamra said. “And Toliver’s a great player. He made plays against Green Bay . . . Dallas and last week against Kansas City. He’s been playing solid.”
Toliver got his second career start against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14, where he fared well against Dallas’ talented receiving corp. He split reps with Amukamara against Green Bay and Kansas City, and if Amukamara can’t go against the Vikings in Sunday’s season finale, Toliver would get his third career start. Toliver could be playing for a starting role in 2020.
“The reason we’ve been [rotating] is to get me back in a groove and manage my hamstring,” Amukamara said. “But I can’t be too worried about what they’re doing upstairs. The Bears are going to do what’s best for them. And Prince is going to do what’s best for Prince. That’s just how it is. I’m just really grateful and thankful to be a part of what’s going on here. And, yeah, I’m excited to continue to play.”
Whether the Bears decide if Amukamara is worth extending remains to be seen. But if they feel comfortable enough with Toliver and decisions they make in free agency or the NFL Draft, Amukamara may play his last game as a Bear on Sunday, or he maybe already has.
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