Anybody who came through the NFL as an undrafted free agent from college knows the reality of football life at the pro level. Opportunities are rare. You may get one or two at the most. Taking advantage of them is entirely up to you. Most fail to do so but there are a select few who were ready and never looked back. The Chicago Bears have had a couple of notable names over the years who managed to do this. Jay Hilgenberg is one name that comes to mind.
It seems another is about to finally get his chance. Kevin Toliver was widely viewed as one of the top undrafted players of the 2018 college class. A talented and athletic kid out of LSU, he had all the makings of somebody who could hang in the NFL. He did enough to earn a spot on the roster and since then has played a minor role on special teams while acting as a primary backup to Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara.
Last season he played sparingly across 15 games. Quarterbacks targeted him 18 times, completing 12 passes for 128 yards. Thus far in 2019, Toliver has played just three snaps on defense. That is about to change. Amukamara appeared on the injury report this week with a tweaked hamstring. He hasn’t practiced and has since been declared doubtful for the big game on Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys.
This means Toliver is slated to step in and start.
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Chicago Bears must hope that Toliver is ready
The timing of all of this is either the best or worst, depending on the point of view. For fans, it’s not ideal. The Cowboys boast the #1 passing attack in the NFL this season, headlined by a trio of talented receivers in Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and old nemesis Randall Cobb. Asking Toliver to step into that situation and perform at a high enough level to keep them from having a big night is asking a lot. Especially with the Bears pass rush not in the best shape without Akiem Hicks.
On the other hand, Toliver himself has to see this as an amazing opportunity. Amukamara is into his 30s now. His contract is becoming viewed as a bit of a liability. Cutting him in 2020 would net the Bears around $8 million in cap space. If the second-year corner were to step in and play well in this game, it might convince them that he can be the future starter opposite Fuller at a fraction of the price.
He’s waited almost two years for a moment like this. Let’s see if he can seize on it.
