In this 13-part series, we’ll take an in-depth look at each position group for the Chicago Bears with an eye toward the 2025 season. We’ll speculate on who stays, who goes, and some potential additions we’d like to see general manager Ryan Poles make.
Last offseason, there were a lot of positive vibes around the Chicago Bears. Drafting Caleb Williams energized the fanbase, the offense — and head coach — received a makeover, Hard Knocks created a buzz, and they had three wideouts talking about a race to a thousand yards receiving. But the offense started slow, stalled out after the bye, and then limped to the finish line. The race to a thousand never picked up any stream, and none hit the mark.
Enter new head coach Ben Johnson, who brings his play-calling expertise to the Bears after a highly productive time with the Detroit Lions, where he saw their numbers increase each year as offensive coordinator. Johnson will design his new offense around Williams and the talent, but in 2024, Johnson’s Detroit offense had two wide receivers go over a thousand yards.
A race to a thousand may actually materialize with the Bears’ wideouts in 2025.
Here’s how Chicago’s receiver room shapes up.
DJ Moore – Signed through 2029 – Moore had a down season… while catching a career-high 98 passes. However, he only had 966 receiving yards for a career-low 9.9 yards per reception. Moore should be more productive in the new offense because Johnson knows how to scheme touches for his playmakers, and DJ had the sixth most yards after catch in 2024.
Keenan Allen – Free agent – The six-time Pro Bowler didn’t have the type of impact the Bears were hoping for when they sent a fourth-round pick to the Chargers for him. Allen said the door is open for a return to the Bears, but if that happens, he’ll be the WR3 and make substantially less than last year’s $20M. I am curious how his plantar fasciitis may have affected his season prep because he missed weeks two and three and was more productive in the second half of the year.
At this stage in his career, I would assume Allen is looking for the best chance to win a ring.
Rome Odunze – Signed through 2027* – There were high expectations on the ninth over draft pick, but as the WR3 behind Moore and Allen, the odds of him cracking a thousand yards were always slim. Of all the 2024 rookie wideouts who surpassed Odunze’s 54 receptions, each was their team’s respective number-one receiver. Odeunze has a WR1 skill set, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Odunze ends up as the most targeted receiver for the Bears this season.
Between Rome and DJ, Johnson will be able to move them around the offense to get the matchups that benefit the Bears.
*Bears have the fifth-year option available in 2028
Tyler Scott – Signed through 2026 – With Allen and Odunze added last year, that pushed Scott down the depth chart, so he never had a chance to build off his 17-catch, 168-yard rookie campaign. He’s a 4.4 forty guy and was known for his run-after-catch ability in college at Cincinnati. This will be a big offseason for him to hone his receiving skills.
Collin Johnson – Free agent – Johnson had some buzz around him after his preseason and Hard Knocks appearance, but an injury stalled his momentum. He did play in nine games, but mostly on special teams.
DeAndre Carter – Free agent – The 31-year-old Carter, who ended last year on IR, still has value as a return specialist. He had a career-best 31.9 kickoff return average (second best in the league) in the first year of the NFL’s dynamic kickoff. He ended the season on IR.
Nsimba Webster- Free agent – Webster has been with the Bears since 2021, but he spent all of last year on injured reserve.
Maurice Alexander – Signed through 2025** – Alexander may be an option to replace Carter as a returner, plus his familiarity with Ben Johnson (he was with the Lions from 2022 through 2024) could give him an inside track at sticking around in some capacity. He’s been a practice squadder most of his career, but he has appeared in seven games, with one reception for seven yards, four punt returns for 42 yards, and six kickoff returns for 146 yards.
Samori Toure – Signed through 2025** – Toure spent last year on the Bears practice squad.
**Restricted free agents in 2026
John Jackson – Signed through 2025*** – Jackson’s good friend, Caleb Williams, probably had something to do with him getting a camp spot last year, and that could have helped him stick around as a practice squadder. However, in the 2024 preseason, he had two receptions, one rushing attempt, and two kickoff returns.
***Exclusive rights free agent in 2026
2025 OUTLOOK – Not gonna lie; I’d be fine if Allen returned (at the right price) because Ben Johnson would use him appropriately. He’d be a zone beater, he’d be used on rub routes and used as a sure-handed option for Caleb Wiliams. Allen was asked to do too much downfield early last season, and that’s not his game. That said, I don’t think he’s coming back.
I think they’re more likely to sign a veteran to compete for a bottom-of-the-depth chart spot than look for an established (and pricy) receiver. However, if the Bears do target a free agent, Detroit’s Tim Patrick could make sense if he’s looking to follow Ben Johnson to the Windy City. He wouldn’t break the bank on a short deal, he’d be another veteran for the room, and he’d bring an understanding of Johnsion’s verbiage.
If they add via the draft, I’d imagine they’d target a burner in the mid to late rounds. Virginia’s Chris Tyree, Georgia’s Arian Smith, Baylor’s Monaray Baldwin, and Texas’ Agiye Hall are a few guys to keep an eye on at the NFL Combine.
What do you think will happen at wideout this offseason?