The Chicago Bears signed Cyrus Holder, a wide receiver from Duquesne to a UDFA contract. Duquesne is an FCS school, so Holder is a bit underknown. What could he bring to the Chicago Bears?
Who is Cyrus Holder?
Cyrus Holder has been climbing to get to the NFL. He started at St. Francis (PA) before transferring up to Duquesne. Holder became the Dukes’ leading wide receiver in 2022 which put his name on the NFL draft map.
Despite being a small school-wideout on teams who did not throw much, he was able to catch NFL attention, especially after an impressive Pro Day.
Below you can see how Cyrus Holder compares to Isaiah Coulter, a player who is currently signed on the Bears and made the practice squad last season.
"View post on imgur.com"
How Cyrus Holder will fit on Chicago Bears?
Coulter came from Rhode Island, which is not much more relevant to producing NFL talent than Holder. You can see that while Ryan Pace was not shying away from athletes that Ryan Poles is much more attracted to them.
The height combined with a strong 40-time, and even better 20-time may have attracted him to the Chicago Bears. Beyond that his overall athletic profile is one to bet on.
The reality is that Coulter is a great checkpoint to see what Holder brings to the table. It is not sky-high expectations, but if he can come into camp as a rookie and prove that he is better than Coulter, he could be worth keeping around.
Could Cyrus Holder make Chicago Bears roster?
Considering Coulter is a practice squad candidate, that is likely the position that Holder will be fighting to win. A year on the practice squad could help him adjust to the NFL and take a chance at making the team next year.
Still, it is not like he is walking into a loaded wide receiver room. If Holder is able to show that the small school label has been holding him back and that his size and athleticsm can translate who is to say he does not rise up and push for a roster spot? The room is open for someone to rise in it.
We will find out in training camp if Holder can make that happen, but at least he is pushing someone still here in Isaiah Coulter.