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The Bears didn’t get much from their safeties last season, leading to a lot of new faces joining the team this offseason.

The youngest of the lot has been getting all of the first-team reps at free safety this spring. Brock Vereen, selected in the fourth round last month, is working alongside free agent acquisition Ryan Mundy on the starting defense. Vereen said he isn’t taking anything for granted, but he’s feeling more comfortable in the role as more time passes.

“I wouldn’t say [I’m] shocked [about taking reps with the starters], but I know nothing is set,” Vereen said, via ESPNChicago.com. “I’m just coming in and working hard. If that gets me on the field, then so be it. It’s really starting to slow down for me out there. Now, I’m able to react rather than to have to think about it.”

Vereen played cornerback in college as well, but the Bears have a more acute need for help at safety after Kyle Fuller was selected in the first round. Vereen is well-positioned to provide that help.

M.D. Jennings and Danny McCray, also signed this season, are working as the backups. Chris Conte and Craig Steltz have been out with injuries, but neither one has distinguished himself enough in the past to offer much argument against moving in a new direction.