We preview the Chicago Bears’ wideouts here.
All last offseason, there was considerable hope for the Chicago Bears’ rebuilt 2024 offense. There was a new quarterback, new receivers, new running back, new tight end, and a new play caller, but they never got on the same page. It was inconsistent throughout the year.
Chicago’s top three wide receivers famously had a ‘race to a thousand’ that no one reached. DJ Moore came the closest with 966 yards, followed by Keenan Allen (744) and rookie Rome Odunze (734). Thinking back on the spacing issues that plagued the offense, it’s a wonder someone got as close as they did.
That changes with Ben Johnson calling plays and Antwaan Randle El coaching the position.
A recent report from Jeff Risdon of the Lions Wire discussed how Johnson “micromanaged the timing and spacing details” of his Detroit Lions offense, which was presented as a negative as Risdon explored the style of Detroit’s new offensive coordinator. However, I can’t see being meticulous as a bad thing. The Lions had a top-five offense each year that Johnson was their offensive coordinator, and quarterback Jared Goff averaged over 4,500 passing yards.
I’d welcome some of that micromanagement in Chicago.
Roster Locks
There’s been no ‘race to a thousand’ bandied about this offseason, but I can see Moore and Odunze each flirting with quadruple digits. Moore has done it four previous times in his career, and Odunze has number one receiver potential after dominating the PAC-12.
Rookie second-round pick Luther Burden III figures to eventually become Chicago’s number three receiver, but after missing most of the offseason with a soft tissue injury, it may take him a while to claim that role.
The Bears signed 27-year-old Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency before Burden was drafted, so it’ll be him and Burden fighting it out for the third receiver role. He’s coming off a career-best 45 catches, plus he has some special teams value.
Free agent Devin Duvernay will be the primary return specialist, and he may get a handful of snaps on offense.
A Good Bet to Make it
That’s five wideouts I have as locks, so if they do carry a sixth, that guy will need to really flash in the next month and show some third-phase value.
On the Bubble
I’m not sure if anyone else makes the 53, because the other receivers on the roster all seem safe to put on the 16-man practice squad and move up as needed.
Former Lion Maurice Alexander could have an inside track on a practice squad spot.
Former 2019 third-round pick Miles Boykin is another guy who has a good chance of sticking around the practice squad due to his special teams experience.
Samori Toure and John Jackson were on the practice squad last year, but may end up elsewhere in 2025.
Tyler Scott has appeared in 28 games over the last two years, but his career trajectory seems to be going the wrong way.
Rookie undrafted free agent JP Richardson (5’11”, 192) out of TCU probably projects to a slot receiver in the NFL. As a senior, he had 57 receptions for 733 yards, and he returned 23 punts for 252.
Earlier today, the Bears brought in wide receiver DJ Chark for a workout, so they may already be looking to churn the bottom of the depth chart.