The Chicago Bears made some notable changes to their secondary this offseason, but one of the most intriguing storylines might be brewing at cornerback—thanks to a rookie who could shake up the depth chart.

After parting ways with veteran safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard, the Bears also lost depth cornerback Nahshon Wright. Rather than signing a replacement in free agency, the team turned to the NFL Draft, selecting Malik Muhammad in the fourth round—a move that has drawn praise as a solid value pick on Day 3.

According to ESPN's Ben Solak, Muhammad might not just be a depth piece. He could push for a starting role, potentially taking over for Tyrique Stevenson—the cornerback who became infamous for his role in the "Hail Mary" play that haunted Chicago last season.

"The Bears would much prefer Stevenson to play (and excel) over Muhammad," Solak writes. "But if Muhammad shines in camp, the Bears might struggle to keep him off the field while Stevenson gets targeted opposite [Jaylon] Johnson."

Johnson is locked into one starting cornerback spot, leaving the other outside position up for grabs. Stevenson currently holds that job, but his struggles in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's scheme last season have raised questions. If he doesn't bounce back in 2026, the door could swing open for Muhammad.

The rookie brings an intriguing profile. Standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 188 pounds, Muhammad was a reliable defender for the Texas Longhorns. This past season, he recorded two interceptions, 30 total tackles, one sack, and four passes defended—numbers that suggest he's ready to compete at the next level.

Of course, this scenario becomes moot if Stevenson starts the season strong. But any early struggles from the veteran could pave the way for Muhammad to seize a starting spot. For Bears fans, the battle to watch this summer might just be at cornerback—where a fourth-round rookie could force a change that reshapes the secondary.