Cornerback Depth Now a Bigger Need

Cornerback already figured to be a Bears emphasis at some point in the draft, if not with multiple picks.

It really does now because of the need for depth after they released cornerback Harrison Hand on Monday.

Hand, a 5-foot-11, 185-pounder, was going into his fourth season after playing four games with Chicago last season.

A fifth-round 2020 draft pick by the Vikings, Hand was signed to the Bears practice squad in Week 2 last season after he had been released by the Giants. He came off the practice squad to the regular roster twice, the last time Dec. 22.

Hand's only Bears start came in the season finale after a series of Bears defensive back injuries. He made 12 tackles with a pass breakup in the final two games.

The Bears have Josh Blackwell, Jaylon Jones, Michael Ojemudia and Greg Stroman Jr. behind starting cornerbacks Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor and Jaylon Johnson.

Blackwell on Monday officially signed his tender offer as an exclusive rights free agent. ERFAs can't field offers from other teams once they are tendered, so there was little doubt about Blackwell's return.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven

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