A quick scroll through Chicago Bears Twitter today reveals a general theme about one playmaker in particular.
Rookie wide receiver Tyler Scott is, indeed, fast. This, of course, is not in and of itself a revelation. But that is exactly where the notability lies in his frequent mention on social media on the second day of training camp.
Rookie WR Tyler Scott has Flashed Early in Training Camp
Scott’s speed – he ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft Combine – was a selling point coming out of college. He isn’t the biggest body, measuring 5-foot-10 and weighing in at 177 pounds. But you can’t teach speed and he has plenty of it. He averaged 16.5 yards per reception over his final two seasons at the University of Cincinnati.
Seeing some of the straight line speed and explosiveness out of WR Tyler Scott in one on one drills. Justin Fields hit him with a deep ball and Scott had big separation on Michael Ojemudia, a third year DB out of Iowa.
— Mark Grote (@markgrotesports) July 27, 2023
He enters the league as an underdog, drafted with the No. 133 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Again, though, he comes fully equipped with a legitimate NFL-caliber trait. One that is critical for a Bears team that ranked 26th in air yards per attempt last season and was slow at the position after Darnell Mooney went down with an ankle injury, ending his season in Week 12.
And he has drawn plenty of praise this offseason, making this more than just a flash-in-the-pan situation.
Tyler Scott’s Potential Impact on Chase Claypool
The Bears did have Chase Claypool but he was still getting acclimated after being traded to Chicago at the trade deadline and all had an injury interrupt that process. Word is that he’s as locked in as he’s ever been. And he has spoken out in defense of his work ethic which has been questioned since he was still with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“This is the biggest year of my life, and I understand that,” Claypool said in his first media availability of the summer on July 26. “And if anyone thinks my work ethic isn’t matched, then they’re deeply mistaken.”
He and Scott offer speed in very different ways so the youngster’s flash should help him more than it hurts Claypool.
Rookie WR Tyler Scott’s speed and separation is another highlight so far today in Bears camp. I’d like to see him against the best DBs. But you can see the wheels and deep ball ability.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) July 27, 2023
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy did note that they’ve had to reduce some things to make him comfortable early on.
He added that Scott’s progress will only be a good thing for the team as a whole.
Claypool – and Mooney – are heading into the final years of their contract amid a retooled array of weaponry around third-year quarterback Justin Fields. There could be a smaller share of the overall pie for everyone with the arrival of Scott and, more significantly, fellow wide receiver D.J. Moore and Robert Tonyan at tight end.
The Bears also still boast a backfield that is at least two, and possibly even three-deep.
Everyone can still be more impactful with their touches, though. That may be easier with a defense that will have to pay close attention to Fields and Moore in particular.
Bears Putting Tyrique Stevenson Through the Fire
While Scott has been impressive, rookie Tyrique Stevenson is getting tested, if not being picked on. He has been the defender targeted by Fields and Moore for noteworthy plays on back-to-back days.
Go DJ, that’s my DJ 💫 pic.twitter.com/0QjUVr4GW7
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 26, 2023
That is not a bad thing.
Stevenson projects to man the other outside cornerback spot when the Bears go with their nickel package. And opponents will certainly target him in those situations.
Second-year corner Kyler Gordon was the Bears’ most-targeted defender last season, beating out fellow corner Jaylon Johnson by 31 targets. Johnson missed three more games than Gordon but that is the kind of trend that Stevenson can expect. Especially entering the league as a later pick.
Main Photo: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
