Chicago Bears: Five biggest X-Factors for the 2017 season

4. Cameron Meredith

On the occasions when I covered Chicago Bears training camp last year, there was always one constant after practice: Cameron Meredith was working overtime. An undrafted receiver out of Illinois State, Meredith was never guaranteed anything coming into last season.

Instead, he took his opportunities and ran with them. Big time.

In his first full season with the team, Meredith broke out with 66 receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns. In particular, he helped fill the void left by White and the suspended Alshon Jeffery. Whether the Bears played him outside or in the slot, he put the hard work he did last offseason to good use.

Fast-forward to this season, and Meredith arguably could enter the season as the Bears’ de facto top receiver. He certainly is in terms of production, while not necessarily having the same upside as Kevin White.

Hopefully, the two will work well together in tandem if they stay on the field together. Their ability to play both outside and in the slot present plenty of matchup possibilities for Loggains to exploit. And Meredith’s smooth and route running skills should complement White’s raw speed and athleticism well.

Also, should White struggle or injure himself again, the Bears will rely heavily on Meredith for production. Given how slowly White started off last season, Meredith may need to keep the ship steady in the receiving corps for a few games.

Can he hold his own against tougher cornerback matchups and still deliver the production everyone is hoping for?

The Chicago Bears had better hope so. Because a regression to the mean for Meredith could spell further trouble for the entire offense.