Are Chicago Bears Preparing for Life without Kevin White This Year?

The 2018 NFL Draft is officially over, and for the Chicago Bears, everything seems to be coming into place for a productive season. The Bears arguably had one of the best drafts this year, acquiring several rookies who could potentially have an immediate impact on the field.

Chicago improved their corps of linebackers with eighth-overall pick Roquan Smith and fourth-rounder Joel Iyiegbuniwe. The offensive front became more solidified with center/guard James Daniels, and the defensive line gained more depth with Bilal Nichols and Kylie Fitts. However, it’s the addition of the Bears’ newest wide receivers that could affect the near future of one of their current players.

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General manager Ryan Pace traded up to the second round to draft Anthony Miller, and with their last pick selected Javon Wims. Miller is a receiver that can play outside and in the slot, and who led the FBS in touchdown receptions in 2017 with 17. The Memphis product also put up big numbers over the last two seasons for the Tigers, amassing 187 receptions for 2,841 yards and 30 touchdowns. Wims’ resume isn’t as spectacular as Miller’s, but his big 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame will be a great target for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

After the second day of the draft came to an end, many experts felt that the Bears did an excellent job. Former NFL general manager Charley Casserly said that after the first two rounds Chicago was one of the several teams that had one of the best starts to the draft.

ESPN NFL/college draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. even had the Bears listed as his top “Day 2 winner” of the draft.

Prior to the draft, the Bears signed wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel at the early stage of free agency. After that, Chicago opted not to match an offer sheet given to Cameron Meredith, and let him continue on with the New Orleans Saints. The departure of Meredith seemed to work in favor for Bears wide receiver Kevin White, but that was short-lived.

Having added two rookies and two veterans to the receiving corps, the picture is now looking bleak for White. Entering his fourth season, White has not been able to stay healthy, ending each of his first three years with a season-ending injury. This is the reason why Pace and the rest of the Bears’ brass may opt not to keep White around much longer.

According to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears said that they will decide whether or not if they will exercise the fifth-year option on White’s rookie contract after the draft.

Seeing how the Bears have reinforced their roster with wide receivers, it looks like this may be White’s last chance to prove that he’s worth keeping in the Windy City. And if this doesn’t persuade you, then the fact that Chicago was actually trying to trade back into the first round during Day 1 of the draft so that they could get Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley just might.

Given the fact that White was a seventh-overall selection in 2015, the Bears just might keep him around for 2018 just to see if their investment will finally cash in. On the flipside, with so much talent on the roster now, it may be difficult for White to even claim a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2018 season; and this is assuming that he stays healthy. Well, healthy or not, this may be the last time White is seen in a Chicago Bears uniform.