Over the past week, the Chicago Bears seemed to have turned their attention to adding a speed wide receiver, hosting free-agent wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Rondale Moore.
On the heels of signing former Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus to a one-year deal, the Bears seemingly were targeting competition for Tyler Scott. With Zaccheaus likely serving as the Bears' slot wide receiver, the Bears were looking for a speed option for their fourth wide receiver. A profile the Bears thought they were drafting when they selected Scott in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears find their new return specialist
It seems that the Bears may have found Scott's replacement as they signed Devin Duvernay to a one-year deal. Durvernay has earned his keep in the NFL as a return specialist. Duvernay was selected to the Pro Bowl as a member of the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and 2022 and earned All-Pro honors as a returner in 2021.
While carving out a Pro Bowl career as a return specialist, Duvernay has yet to find much success on offense during his stops with the Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars. A third-round pick of the Ravens in the 2020 NFL Draft. Duvernay's best offensive season was in 2022 when he totaled 407 receiving yards on 37 receptions. Duvernay also sprinkled in 84 rushing yards with the Ravens in 2022.
Duvernay spent the 2024 season with the Jaguars but was not much of a factor in their offense, totaling 79 receiving yards on 11 receptions.
Given his speed, it will be interesting to see how Ben Johnson could utilize Duvernay in his offense. While Jameson Williams is the ceiling for what a speed wide receiver can do in Johnson's offense, Duvernay has a different profile than what the Bears already have on their roster. While Duvernay's offensive role has yet to be determined with the Bears, his arrival could close the revolving door the Bears have had for their return specialist in recent seasons.