Bears coordinator Dennis Allen likes talent and not necessarily positional expertise, and with one player they showed interest in they would get exactly that.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen rarely seems confined in this way, and the Bears put a big emphasis now on the personnel department listening to the coaching staff while doing its work. A player who might not fit into a conventional positional classification is Arizona DB Treydan Stukes, and he's gaining notorietyMelo reported Stukes also had formal interviews at the combine with the Vikings, Packers, Raiders, Jets, Giants, Bengals, and more than a dozen teams in all.
He also had in-person visits with the Titans and Cardinals."I’m hearing that I’m flexible enough to play multiple positions with terrific versatility," Stukes said, according to Melo. "Wherever I end up, I’ll be willing to play wherever they have a plan for me." Stukes surprised with the eighth-fastest 40 time at the combine of 4.33. Only Ohio State's Lorenzo Styles Jr. and Cincinnati's Robert Spear-Jennings ran faster times among safeties and the only other defensive player faster was Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride. Stukes also had a 38-inch vertical leap, as well.So why don't people talk about Stukes as one of the top safeties? He hasn't played the position much. The reason Stukes received less attention than other safety prospects until recently is he has been classified in many cases as a cornerback. Pro Football Focus operates this way, but Last year Stukes lined up in the slot or in the box 577 times and lined up deep just 19 times. He has been a slot cornerback in college with only 28 snaps at the deep safety spot. Before an injury-plagued 2024, He had 661 snaps in the slot and box in 2023 and only 61 outside at cornerback and only nine at safety.Wherever they put him, he played well. His seven interceptions and 29 pass breakups say he knows how to play. At 6-1, 190, he has more of a cornerback's build. He'd probably need to add muscle and weight to be more of a classical safety."I think I got pretty comfortable playing more zone coverage this past season," Melo reported Stukes as saying. "I was able to get my eyes on the quarterback and I made some plays on the football. I felt pretty good in zone coverage this past year."It's anyone's guess how the Bears could be viewing Stukes considering the interest they've shown, but safety seems logical considering their lack of one starter there.. Then again, might they think of him as a slot, and what would that mean for Kyler Gordon, who missed all but three games last year due to injuries after getting a $13 million-a-year extension? Pro Football Focus has Stukes as the 61st best player overall, but he definitely doesn't look like a Brisker replacement.He looks more like a Gordon replacement, although teams with holes in the starting lineup like the Bears have at safety can't be too picky about titles. They need fast, aggressive defensive players on the field regardless of position. They can let secondary coach Al Harris and Allen figure out how best to use them once they’re in house.Teams with the Best Chances to Totally Ruin This Chicago Bears DraftGene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Senator Bernie Sanders wants to keep the Bears in IllinoisThe Chicago Bears border battle is getting some attention from an unlikely person: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
Read more »
Media bears false witness against Christians — and bares its own hateFor those who embrace the modern affirmation mindset, Christianity’s message of self-denial, sacrifice and faithful obedience is intolerable.
Read more »
Ohio State prospect Makes Bold Statement About Bears' Interest in 2026 NFL DraftThe Chicago Bears desperately need more help for their run defense in 2026 and a prospect from Ohio State, who believes he's the team's top target in the first round, would be exactly what the team needs.
Read more »
Former Lions OL Rips Chicago Bears Fans: 'What a Weak Fan Base'Former Detroit Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang is not happy with Chicago Bears fans.
Read more »
Spurs legend George Gervin challenging Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams over ‘Iceman’ trademarkFormer San Antonio Spur George Gervin filed applications to trademark the nickname “Iceman” last week in an attempt to prevent Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams from using the moniker.
Read more »
Yamato Okadome Sizzles For Cal at NCAA Swim ChampionshipsThe Golden Bears' run of 15 consecutive top-2 finishes ends with a seventh-place effort
Read more »