Chicago Bears: Victor Cruz showing he has plenty of good football left

Coming into an uncertain situation with the Chicago Bears, Victor Cruz has been proving he still has something left.

It may have only been a scrimmage, but Victor Cruz’s touchdown grab at the Chicago Bears Family Fest had to feel good.

During team drills, Cruz made the play of the day, splitting Quintin Demps and Adrian Amos over the middle for a 48-yard TD catch and run from Mark Sanchez. Sure, it was as much a big play by them as it was a bad one from the defense. But for a guy who’s fighting to regain his previous Pro Bowl form, Cruz will take it.

And the Bears will certainly take plays like that from Cruz as much as he’s able to make them. The way he has performed, they may be asking for him to do it for the rest of the 2017 season.

Still Got It

Aside from that highlight, Cruz has given the Bears plenty of reason to add him to the 53-man roster.

On one hand, though some may struggle to believe it, Cruz has actually had a strong camp. Some that have watched him have even said that he’s looking no worse than the third receiver on the roster.

That’s a far cry from simply wondering if he’d even have enough juice to make it through training camp. And, to be sure, he has also given them much more than just the veteran leadership the Bears hoped to see from him.

Cruz came into camp as arguably the Bears’ most intriguing new face. Despite his lessened production last year, his Pro Bowl pedigree made him a low-risk, high-reward signing on a one-year deal. Of course, he could’ve easily flamed out quickly like other former stars, like Santonio Holmes a few years ago. In fact, that could still happen, as preseason games haven’t started yet. But so far, he has shown flashes of the player that went from undrafted free agent to two-time second-team All-Pro.

Bears Ready to Dance with Cruz?

With him looking more likely to make the team with each passing day, where does the leave the Chicago Bears’ receiving group?

At this point, Cameron Meredith and Kevin White are the only receivers 100% sure to make the team. Josh Bellamy‘s special teams acumen and past experience last season also give him a strong chance at the roster. And given his early performance, fellow undrafted player Tanner Gentry could factor into final decisions very heavily.

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So, assuming that Cruz continues playing as he has, will the Bears feel comfortable cutting younger players to make room for him? In particular, can he hold off the likes of fellow slot guys Kendall Wright and Daniel Braverman if it came to that?

Wright, who has had a somewhat quiet camp, also missed the Bears scrimmage Saturday. If he struggles with injuries as he often has in his career, he won’t be a lock to make the team. He’s only guaranteed $1 million, so cutting him would be relatively inconsequential.

And 2016 training camp hero Braverman’s test will come, once again, in preseason games this year. Can he get open against other competition, and can he prove that he has special teams value? Cruz can get away with not playing special teams if he’s going to be the team’s third receiver. Braverman can’t. Plus, the Bears could put him on the practice squad for another year if they chose to.

Next: Previewing Chicago Bears wide receivers for 2017

Bottom line: the Bears have a good problem regarding Cruz. So far, his strong performance at Chicago Bears training camp has rewarded the team’s gamble in signing him. In turn, why hesitate to reward him with a roster spot if he’s clearly earned it?