The Chicago Bears were busy through the first few days of the 2017 free agency period. Mike Glennon was their first major acquisition, becoming the next quarterback of the franchise. He was soon followed by tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps and wide receiver Markus Wheaton. A day or so later it was Kendall Wright, another receiver joining the haul.
However, the most discussed additions by a wide margin were at the cornerback position. First came Prince Amukamara. A former first round pick of the New York Giants, he just spent a year in Jacksonville as a starter. Though not a star, most feel he's reliable and experienced. Two things the Bears don't have much of in their secondary.
Then came the more celebrated addition in Marcus Cooper. A Pro Bowl alternate last season, he finished with four interceptions. He was so excited about signing with Chicago that he wrote a letter to the city. To top it off Johnthan Banks, a waiver wire pickup from late last year, was also re-signed. Great in terms of the team trying to improve their biggest weakness on defense.
At the same time, not everybody seems happy about it.
Tracy Porter has been through a lot in his NFL career. It reached the highest of highs in 2009 when he delivered the dagger pick six touchdown to secure New Orleans its first professional sports championship with the Saints. Since then he's battled to just stay in the league. A regression in performance brought on by injury woes led many to think he was done. Still, the Bears chose to give him a chance in 2015. He performed well
As a result the team gave him a new contract, hoping the success would continue. Unfortunately the injury problems returned. Porter played through them but it was clear he was impacted by them, getting beaten quite often every week. Now with a host of new bodies joining the cornerback depth chart, there is no doubt he's feeling the heat.
Not that anybody can blame him. Most players who hit the 30-year old barrier start fearing for their jobs almost constantly. What is Porter supposed to think when the Bears add two veteran corners who will be making more money than him? He has every right to feel nervous and agitated. His football livelihood is at stake. The chances of him finding work after Chicago are not too good. At the same time, it's not like the Bears are being unfair. Porter really regressed last season towards the second half. Injuries or not, the play wasn't up to standards and the tape reflects that.
One thing that Porter always could rely on was his speed. It's impossible not to think that years of constant injury issues and advancing age haven't started to sap it from him. The NFL is a cold business. If a player doesn't perform, his days on the roster are numbered. Porter may not like it but this is reality. Maybe it makes him angry and gives him something to prove. That's great. A hungry Porter has played pretty well in the past. At the end of the day there's no use being angry. The Bears under Ryan Pace are unsympathetic to veterans who can't help win football games. Right now, he falls into that category.
