Bears showing interest in free agent CB Steven Nelson

The Chicago Bears appear to be eyeing one of the better free-agent cornerbacks still on the market.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler, the Bears are interested in former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Steven Nelson. Fowler mentioned the Bears, along with 13 other teams including the Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals, who were monitoring the veteran defensive back.

Nelson, a six-year veteran in the league, was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After a career year in 2018 when he recorded four interceptions and defended 15 passes, Nelson signed a three-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started all but one game in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Last year, Nelson picked off two passes, both against the Eagles, and had one fumble recovery. He was released earlier this offseason due to salary cap constraints. Still just 28 years old, Nelson has plenty left in the tank and would certainly provide a boost to a team’s secondary.

The Bears cornerback position has seen plenty of movement this offseason. They waived goodbye to veterans Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine in an effort to shed salary, and signed former Atlanta Falcon and Detroit Lion Desmond Trufant, who has the inside track to start opposite second-year starter Jaylon Johnson. Should the Bears sign Nelson, he would likely take over that starting job from Trufant.

With so many teams interested in the former Steeler, the Bears have their work cut out for them if they want to make a deal. But Bears head coach Matt Nagy was with Nelson for his first three years in Kansas City so there is some familiarity there.

Time will tell where Nelson ends up, but he would add a boost to the Bears defense that could more veteran leadership at the position.

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