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82 Days Until Chicago Bears 2017 Season Kicks Off: Rueben Randle Profile

By Bill Zimmerman

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway. With 82 days to go until the Bears season kicks off we will highlight the Bears player that is wearing number 82, wide receiver, Rueben Randle.

Jun 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) makes a catch during mini camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Rueben Randle (82) makes a catch during mini camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 Review

Rueben Randle had a very solid 2015 campaign for the New York Giants. He tallied 797 yards on 57 catches with 8 touchdowns. After the end of the season, the Giants decided not to re-sign the wide receiver and the Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal.

Randle was released by the Eagles on August 28 and didn’t catch on with another team. He spent the entire 2016 season as a free agent.

The Chicago Bears made a smart signing with Randle in January signing him to reserve/futures contract. The Bears needed some help at wide receiver and needed help in the return game as well, something Randle also had experience doing with the Giants.

2017 Outlook

Randle’s situation with the Bears has steadily gotten worse since he signed with the team. When Randle signed, with Alshon Jeffery out, he was arguably the WR3 on Chicago with an unproven Cameron Meredith and an injury-prone Kevin White in front of him.

Unfortunately for Randle, since then, the Bears have signed Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright and Victor Cruz, all who figure to be in front of Randle. The Bears also have Daniel Braverman and Tanner Gentry who the Bears hope impress and earn themselves a roster spot.

While Randle’s return game could have made him an asset, the Bears still have Deonte Thompson battling for that position, signed Benny Cunningham who also has return experience, and also hope Tarik Cohen could make an impact on special teams.

Related Story: Chicago Bears Minicamp Wrap Up- What You Need to Know

Future with the Bears

With a crowd at wide receiver, Randle doesn’t figure to be any better than the WR6 and with other capable returners, Randle’s skill set there isn’t as needed as it was when he originally signed.

The truth is, Randle doesn’t appear to be anything more than camp competition at this point and if he’s going to make the Bears this season, he’s going to have to be very impressive in camp and during preseason games.

It’s tough to expect Randle to make this roster, in fact, if Braverman and Gentry play well, there’s no guarantee Randle even makes it to final cuts. Randle will most likely be looking for a new team in August or early September.

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