(670 The Score) Bears rookie cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. doesn't lack confidence.
That much was clear during his NFL debut Monday night, when he played a key role for the Bears in containing Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson. It was also evident when he approached Bears general manager Ryan Pace at practice recently and asked what he could do to earn an opportunity with this team.
“What do I need to do to make sure that I can live my dream and be here?” Graham asked of Pace.
“Like, what do you see now? What can I do to stack and add that skill to make sure I can be better?”
Upon getting feedback, the 22-year-old Graham followed Pace’s advice and committed himself to better understanding his coverage responsibilities and improving on attacking the football when it comes his way.
Graham showcased his progress Monday in his first career game and start at cornerback, breaking up three passes and recording seven tackles in the Bears' 17-9 loss to the Vikings. Given an opportunity in a secondary decimated by COVID-19, Graham impressed enough to create questions about why he hadn’t been given a chance before.
The Bears promoted Graham to their active roster Tuesday, an indication he could start their final three games at cornerback. A sixth-round pick of the Bears in the NFL Draft last spring, Graham could be auditioning for 2022 and beyond.
“You root for those type of stories,” coach Matt Nagy said. “He certainly has helped himself out with being able to play more."
Related
Graham played three seasons collegiately at Oregon, recording eight interceptions and 32 pass breakups with the Ducks. He opted out of the 2020 season, which is part of why he fell in the draft. The Bears liked his potential, and now he’s out to reward that faith.
Until his debut Monday, Graham had worked with the Bears’ practice squad for the entirety of the season, often matching up against the team’s starting offense. He has made quite the impression in practice.
“I know a few of the receivers were kind of getting mad at him at practice because they said he was sitting on a few routes and that he would never do it in a game,” rookie quarterback Justin Fields said of Graham.
“Of course, he wanted to get pulled up (to the active roster) way earlier in the year. But he just didn’t get that opportunity. He just put his head down and worked every day at practice and continued to get better. I’m glad that he did get his opportunity and that he showed out.”
Graham admitted his belief wavered through parts of the season. He felt he deserved of an opportunity earlier and wondered why the Bears didn’t see it in him. Graham returned from the mid-November bye week ready to turn that around, taking his reps in practice and using them to showcase why he should play.
“I’ve always believed and I will always believe that I can be a starting cornerback,” Graham said. “But I also believe I’m the best cornerback. I have a lot to prove, and I have a lot to do. But that’s kind of the mindset.
“It’s a high standard that I set for myself. But if I shoot for the stars, I might land on the moon.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.