Chicago Bears Sign WR Victor Cruz

The Chicago Bears have signed free agent wide receiver Victor Cruz.

There could be a little more salsa dancing in Chicago this fall. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Chicago Bears will be signing free agent wide receiver Victor Cruz to a one-year contract.

Cruz has spent his entire career with the New York Giants. But after struggling with injuries the last couple of seasons, the Giants decided to part ways with him and replaced him with former Bear Brandon Marshall.

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Cruz burst onto the season in 2011 with the Giants with 1536 yards receiving and 9 TDs. His 2012 season was also an excellent one gaining 1092 yards with 10 TDs. Cruz’s production started to slip in 2013 gaining only 998 yards and only 4 TDs. His 2014 season was derailed after six games due to a tear to his patellar tendon. He followed that up by missing the entire 2015 season with a calf injury. Cruz was back in 2016 but found himself in a complimentary role, gaining 586 yards on 39 catches with one score in 15 games.

Cruz became a highly popular player in New York thanks to his outgoing personality and salsa dancing touchdown celebrations. But after being on a steady decline statistically mixed with his injury issues, the Giants decided it was time to move on. Cruz, however, thinks the Giants tried to sabotage his career by purposely phasing him out of the offense last season.

Cruz turns 31-years old this November and his best days are probably behind him. But the Bears will hope that a new setting and fresh start will revitalize his career and he will have a productive season in Chicago catching balls from Mike Glennon and salsa dancing off Lake Shore Drive.