Zackary

Bowman

The report is likely agent-driven. Bowman isn’t going to be a hot ticket on the open market after limited playing time as a reserve and special teamer the past two years. This could be a sign that he’s planning to leave Chicago, however.

It’s flier money, and a sign that Bowman isn’t assured of a roster spot. He made only one start for the Bears in 2011, playing just 109 snaps on defense. If everything goes right for the Vikings, Bowman won’t be higher than fourth on the depth chart if he makes the team.

It’s believed to be a non-guaranteed deal worth the league minimum. Bowman has been signed away from the rival Bears, though he made just one start in 2011, where the majority of his snaps came on special teams. He was a 12-game starter in 2009, however, and provides veteran insurance for a Vikings’ secondary that was decimated by injury and suspension last season.

Jennings is coming off a nightmare game against the Seahawks, but has still graded out positively for the season by Pro Football Focus. Bowman has been used sparingly, notching just 10 tackles in 14 games. The move should have little effect on Sunday’s game.

Bowman made a bad impression in his first start of the season. Yes, Aaron Rodgers shreds everyone. But the Packers were clearly picking on Bowman. The Bears haven’t found an answer opposite Charles Tillman as normal starter Tim Jennings was demoted ahead of this game.

It’s not as if Bowman played well against the Packers, but this makes us wonder if Jennings’ benching was more discipline than performance related. Despite obvious size drawbacks, Jennings has been a solid cornerback for most of the season. He has 71 tackles, nine pass breakups, and one interception.

After falling out of favor in Chicago last season, Bowman is squarely on Minnesota’s roster bubble. The four-year veteran will have to prove he can contribute on special teams and hold his own in camp against third-round CB Josh Robinson.

Coming off a rough 2011 for the Bears, Bowman was made expendable after the Vikings acquired A.J. Jefferson from the Cardinals. Bowman will look to latch on elsewhere as a down-ballot corner and special teamer.

A fifth-round pick out of Nebraska in 2008, Bowman has never developed into a reliable cover corner, but he’s carved out a legitimate career on special teams. The 28-year-old racked up 11 tackles across 11 games in Chicago last season.

The left cornerback is typically lined up on the offensive formation’s strong side, slightly increasing his chances of making tackles. Tillman is a better tackler than Bowman, so the move is somewhat surprising. The Bears do seem to consider Bowman their No. 1 cornerback of the future.