Chicago Bears Countdown to Kickoff: 85 Days with Dennis McKinnon
By Peter Jurich
Dennis McKinnon becomes starter with Chicago Bears
In his first season as a Bear, McKinnon appeared in all 16 of the team's games, logging four starts throughout the season. McKinnon finished his rookie season with 20 receptions, 326 yards, and four touchdowns on offense while adding 358 return yards and a punt return touchdown. His lone return touchdown during the season had McKinnon tied for the league lead in return touchdowns for the 1983 season.
The following year, McKinnon cemented himself as a consistent starter despite only playing in 12 of the team's games. In 12 games, McKinnon logged 12 starts and contributed 431 yards on 29 catches for three touchdowns.
Heading into the 1985 season, McKinnon was already penciled in as a starter, but the receiver would go on to start in 13 of the team's 16 regular season games, helping the team reach a 15-1 record thanks to 555 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. McKinnon was also an instrumental element in the team's postseason run, posting two touchdowns during the team's three postseason contests.
Unfortunately, McKinnon was forced to miss the entirety of the following 1986 season due to a knee injury. Upon his return in '87, McKinnon accepted more of a reserved role on offense while picking up some duties on special teams as a returner. In his first season back, McKinnon logged 406 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, and two punt return touchdowns.
After a solid comeback season, McKinnon once again earned a starting spot on offense, hauling in over 700 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 15 starts. After having his highest receiving yardage total in 1988, McKinnon entered the ensuing season as a starter once more but would lose the job over the year, starting in only 10 games while logging time in all 16 during the regular season. After finishing the year with 418 yards and two touchdowns, the Chicago Bears chose not to resign the receiver, who instead signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.