Zah Frazier’s Bears exit increases the pressure on Tyrique Stevenson and Malik Muhammad
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images The Chicago Bears don’t need to know the details of Zah Frazier’s personal life to see how his departure affects their cornerback depth. Training camp hasn’t even started, and they’re already a man down in that battle. Frazier was waived on May 7th, ending a brief and unusual stint with the team that drafted him in the fifth round just a year earlier.
He never played a regular-season snap for Chicago. It’s a tough break for a Day 3 pick who had some real potential. His exit also opens up another spot for corners still competing to line up opposite Jaylon Johnson.
How the Bears respond will depend on whether the rest of their group can step up. This is where Tyrique Stevenson, Malik Muhammad, Terell Smith, and Jaylon Jones come into focus. Photo by Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images Even with limited expectations, Frazier’s release was still a surprise Frazier missed his rookie season after being placed on the non-football injury list due to personal reasons.
The Bears had indicated he would get another shot in 2026. The timing is what stands out. According to ESPN, the Bears released Frazier before rookie minicamp began, following his absence from the 2025 season due to another personal matter.
Chicago does not owe the public every detail. Frazier’s situation involved a personal matter, and the fair approach is to leave it there unless the player or team says more. From a football standpoint, Frazier was expected to add length and depth at outside cornerback, a spot that has lacked certainty behind Johnson for some time.
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