Cooper was among the more under-the-radar names of the 2017 free agency period. A young cornerback who turned an opportunity in Arizona into the best season of his career. With four interceptions in 2016, he earned Pro Bowl alternate honors. His 6'2" size, athleticism and ball skills are all things this Bears defense needs more of. Fans were thrilled when news came down of his signing a three-year, $16 million deal.
What nobody could've expected was how excited the player himself was. Most believe Cooper is a typical free agent. Enthusiastic about the opportunity to get a nice pay day and show the league he's worth the money. Well it seems this deal was about much more for the 27-year old. From the moment Chicago expressed interest and brought him in for a visit, he knew it was a foregone conclusion.
His letter to the city expressed that much.
This is the sort of enthusiasm fans want to hear from players who will be suiting up for their team. Cooper genuinely seems to be taking this to heart. The Bears are the best fit for him as a physical talent but also an emotional standpoint. A city founded on great defense. That's where an often underappreciated cornerback can finally make a real name for himself. From this perspective it's easy to understand. Time will tell how Cooper does on the field. Everybody knows this is where he'll be judged. Still, given his steady improvement over the past couple years and the chance to play under Vic Fangio, the odds of success are favorable. Chances are he'll have plenty of fan clubs named for him after his first big interception.
