Why in Thursday’s joint practice, this Chicago Bears player has the most potential.

LAKE FOREST, Il. – There was a two-play stretch on August 8 during the Chicago Bears’ training camp practice that gave the impression that a former seventh-round pick had arrived. After rolling out, Bears quarterback Caleb Williams hit Keenan Allen with a pass that he shouldn’t have made. It was compelled. It was past midnight. He was made to pay by Elijah Hicks.

Hicks, the 2022 seventh round selection out of California, intercepted the pass. Hicks, making sure his efforts weren’t going unnoticed, flew in on the very next play and disrupted a pass meant for Allen.

Hicks appeared to be a well-established starter. He was covering for Jaquan Brisker, who will eventually be moved to the second squad from the first defense. However, with the Bengals visiting town this week, he has the most opportunity of any Bear. Being down players is never nice, but Hicks is taking advantage of his circumstances. The goal is to have guys return, according to Eric Washington, the defensive coordinator for the Bears. “At the same time, we have to be ready for if anyone is not available.”

In the two-minute drill on Tuesday, Hicks broke up a throw, and on Wednesday, he made a great read that resulted in a tackle for loss on a running play. After his first two years in the NFL, Hicks’ success, according to Bears safeties coach Andre Curtis, is a result of the game slowing down. “This is his third year suddenly starting to come on and starting to click,” said Curtis. “He’s always been a student of the game, always really sharp, and he’s just making the most of his opportunities.”

“I’m happy to see it, because he works so hard at what he does,” added Curtis. “It’s good to see a guy when he actually takes to practice, takes to the meeting, to the field, and he goes out and executes.” Injuries make it tough to execute, particularly in the defensive backfield. To make sure he’s communicating with Jaylon Johnson, Jaylon Jones, Josh Blackwell, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, Kevin Byard, or anyone else he might be playing with, Hicks needs to understand various communication techniques. When it comes to safety, Hicks is frequently the last to arrive. An opponent’s offensive may score easily with just one slip from him.

Hicks has to stay ready, and he’s proving that he is ready in training camp so far while embodying what Washington wants to see out of the defense.

“In an ideal situation, we want that core – those guys we have identified as being the starters – the first line group to be out there working together,” Washington said Tuesday. “But, we also have a next man up mentality. If someone is not available, we have to make sure the next couple of players are ready to go.”