Opportunity could be knocking for Bears cornerback Kevin Toliver

Bears cornerback Kevin Toliver is ready for his audition.

‘‘I feel like every day is an audition,’’ Toliver said. ‘‘It’s a day-to-day business, so you’ve got to come to work every day with the same mindset — the dog mindset. That’s all I come in here with, just to get 2 percent better every day.’’

Under coach Matt Nagy, the Bears aren’t going to start preparing for next season until next season. By his philosophy, the priority is winning the final two games, not giving unproven players a chance to show what they can do. Even injured starters such as defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and cornerback Prince Amukamara are preparing to start Sunday against the Chiefs at Soldier Field.

But the process already has started for the 6-2, 199-pound Toliver, an undrafted free agent from LSU who has started two games in his two seasons with the Bears. With Amukamara nursing a sore hamstring, Toliver split snaps with him Sunday against the Packers. Toliver played 31 snaps and Amukamara 28.

And that might continue in the final two games, which not only would protect Amukamara’s hamstring but also would give the Bears a glimpse of Toliver’s readiness to start next season. Amukamara, who has had a solid, if unspectacular, season, has a $10 million salary-cap number in 2020, but it will cost the Bears only $1 million in dead cap money if they cut him. Toliver could be a cost-efficient solution in 2020.

Nagy acknowledged the reality of that situation, but his philosophy is to worry about next season next season. But with Amukamara nursing an injury, playing as part of a rotation presents an opportunity for Toliver, as well.

‘‘It’s good for both [players],’’ Nagy said. ‘‘For a guy like Kevin Toliver, getting some reps is good for him. It’s a great opportunity for him. So we’ll just balance that with where Prince is at, where Kevin’s at and then just see where it’s at for all of us.’’

With the benefit of top-notch players around him, Toliver has acquitted himself well in spot duty in his two seasons with the Bears. He started for Amukamara last season against the Buccaneers and Dec. 5 against the Cowboys, finishing with seven tackles and one pass broken up. He had two tackles and one pass broken up in his 31 snaps against the Packers.

But even in a small sample size, Toliver said he thinks he’s a much better player now than he was last season, with improved technique and better tackling.

‘‘I just have more confidence on the field now,’’ Toliver said. ‘‘Last year I was a little timid. I wasn’t sure if they were going to do that or the other team was going to do this. The game’s starting to slow down for me. I can see the whole field now. I just feel way more comfortable out there.’’

It’s too early for defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano to address 2020, but he acknowledged Toliver can gain ‘‘experience [and] confidence’’ with more snaps in the final two games.

‘‘When he has gotten his opportunity, he has done some good things,’’ Pagano said. ‘‘It’s never perfect. It’s a hard job. He’s doing a nice job with the reps he’s getting.’’

Toliver always has thought like a starter, but now he has enough experience to think he can handle the job. That’s a long way off at this point.

‘‘I’ve got a lot I need to work on; I can get better at a lot of stuff,’’ Toliver said. ‘‘But I feel I can take on that [starting] role if they need me. We’ll just see how that goes.’’