Free agency continues to roll on, and the Chicago Bears have once again lost another key player to the team.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Arizona Cardinals have signed former Bears wide receiver and special teams returner Devin Duvernay to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Duvernay only caught two passes for 26 yards last year in Chicago, but did have 40 kickoff returns for an average of 26.7 yards per return and 21 punt returns for an average of 11 yards per return.
His time with the Bears was short, as he was only used as a returner for the team, but he did play some receiver late in the season, with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden dealing with injuries. This loss, unlike some of the others, is not the end of the world for the Bears.
Bears already have their plan to replace Devin Duvernay
Chicago already had a plan for Duvernay, as they are replacing him with former Detroit Lions wide receiver and special teams returner Kalif Raymond on a one-year contract. Last season, Raymond had 289 yards receiving and one touchdown while also returning a punt for a touchdown
The Bears did pretty well in the return game with Duvernay, but Raymond is more versatile in what he can do for Chicago. Bears head coach Ben Johnson knows Raymond well, as he was the offensive coordinator for the Lions from 2022 through 2024. Raymond was used in the passing game and on special teams.
Bears fans should see Raymond as an upgrade to Duvernay because of everything he can do on offense. Chicago will have Raymond in the slot to help the offense out, but Rome Odunze and Luther Burden are still seen as the top receivers in the offense.
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Duvernay will have another chance to keep his NFL career going, while the Bears look forward to rolling with Raymond on special teams this season.