Bears rookie defender is about to face his biggest test yet
News
September 30, 2026· 2 min read
Photo: (Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)
Bryan Perez
September 30, 2026 · 2 min read

Malik Muhammad's fantastic start to his rookie season is about to get much tougher. The Chicago Bears' fourth-round pick could face one of the NFL's hottest receivers on Sunday when Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets visit Soldier Field.

Wilson is coming off a monster performance against Detroit.

He caught 10 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown in New York's 31-24 loss and enters Week 4 with 21 catches for 243 yards and two scores. He currently ranks 13th among all wide receivers with an 81.2 grade from Pro Football Focus.

Wilson has long been viewed as one of the NFL's top wideouts but has been hampered by poor quarterback play in New York. With Geno Smith playing well through the first three games, Wilson is finally emerging.

Malik Muhammad's role is becoming interesting

Despite being cleared to play on Monday night, veteran starter Tyrique Stevenson didn't play a defensive snap against the Eagles.

Instead, the Bears continued leaning on Muhammad. And that trend won't stop anytime soon.

Yes, a healthy Stevenson is a good thing for Dennis Allen's defense, but at this point in the season, Muhammad has simply outplayed him.

Chicago drafted Muhammad expecting him to eventually push for a significant role in the secondary. And that opportunity has arrived much faster than anyone anticipated.

Garrett Wilson

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Garrett Wilson is a legitimate measuring stick for Malik Muhammad

Wilson is exactly the kind of receiver who can reveal where a young cornerback stands. Against Detroit, he showed how quickly he can take over a game.

Yes, Jaylon Johnson remains the Bears' top corner. But Dennis Allen will have to determine how Muhammad, Stevenson and the rest of the secondary fit around him. And he may find out the hard way with whoever he matches up against Wilson.

Bears have a good problem developing

Remember: It's a good thing when a rookie Day-3 pick pushes established starters for their job. Chicago entered the season worried about its secondary depth, especially after Coby Bryant suffered a major knee injury. And little has improved since.

Kyler Gordon remains unavailable with a mystery calf injury. Stevenson then injured his hamstring.

Those injuries created opportunities, and Muhammad has taken advantage of his.

Now the Bears may be approaching the much better version of a roster problem: deciding who deserves to play rather than simply finding enough healthy bodies.

Garrett Wilson should provide a pretty useful test of whatever Allen decides.

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Tags:Chicago bearsGarrett wilsonMalik muhammadNew york jetsTyrique stevenson
Bryan Perez
Bryan PerezManaging Editor at BearsTalk

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