For any wide receiver on the Chicago Bears' current roster, good luck to them at training camp.
It's a deep room with 11 of them competing for five or six roster spots starting in two weeks. There are a few locks for the roster, including Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, rookie Zavion Thomas, and Jahdae Walker.
That might leave just one spot available for the receivers if they are lucky. One of those guys needs to really step up to the plate and play well, or he could be out of a job for good.
Maurice Alexander needs to be ready for a training camp unlike any other
Alexander didn't start his NFL career after a successful run in the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars in 2022, when he would follow up by signing with the Detroit Lions. That turned into three seasons playing under current Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who was the offensive coordinator in the Motor City. Alexander made one catch for seven yards in 2022.
Last year, Alexander followed Johnson to Chicago to try to make the 53-man roster. Alexander played well in the preseason, catching nine passes for 71 yards and one touchdown, but did not make the roster and spent the entire season on the practice squad.
Now back for another season, things are only going to get tougher for Alexander to make the roster, with five receivers already looking like locks to make the team. There are other talented receivers for that potential sixth spot that Alexander has to beat out, like Scotty Miller and JP Richardson.
Where Alexander is going to have to separate himself from the others is on special teams. He's got to be able to help on kickoff or punt coverage to ensure that he can find a spot on the team.
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It certainly feels like a long shot for a guy who knows Johnson's system, but the depth of the wide receiver position is just too deep. Alexander better be ready to bring the heat and give it his all if he wants to keep his NFL career going.
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