The Chicago Bears have strong competition at the bottom of their wide receiver depth chart. D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze are obvious locks. Second-year man Tyler Scott also appears safe as the #4 option. After that, it feels like a race for the final two spots. Plenty of notable names are trying to stake their claim. Incumbent Velus Jones hopes to lean on his versatility as a kick returner and running back to survive another year. DeAndre Carter is also trying to make special teams his primary argument. Collin Johnson had a huge preseason debut in the Hall of Fame game. Freddie Swain is a decent veteran with experience in Shane Waldron’s system.
However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has it on pretty good authority that one notable name has swooped in to lock up one of those spots: Dante Pettis.
“It wasn’t just the two touchdowns he caught against the Bengals. It’s how he has been used in practice. Collin Johnson has been out injured since the preseason opener. Maybe DeAndre Carter will get back on the field and push Pettis for the job, but Pettis offers a sure-handed option as a punt returner and might be the fifth receiver. He certainly helped himself Saturday.”
They signed him in 2022 to help their thin receiving corps. He made 19 catches for 245 yards and three touchdowns. A year later, he suffered an injury in August and was placed on injured reserve, then released with a settlement. Everyone understandably thought his time in Chicago was over. Then, almost out of nowhere, the Bears brought him back in March. He then proceeds to go from afterthought to one of the standouts of the preseason. Say this for the young man. He has plenty of resilience. If Biggs is correct and he’s secured the fifth spot on the depth chart, that leaves one remaining for Jones, Carter, Johnson, and Swain to fight over. Smart money says it will come down to Jones or Johnson. The former has kick return value, while the latter is a better blocker. It may come down to the final preseason game in Kansas City for both.
