Chicago Bears: Don’t give up on Kevin White under new regime

Chicago Bears fans are ready to write off Kevin White.  Here’s why that may be a big mistake.

When the Chicago Bears selected Kevin White 7th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, expectations were extremely high.  There is no doubt White has failed to live up to those expectations.

However, writing him off on a team desperate for wide receivers would be a big mistake at this point.  Below we take a look at a few reasons why Kevin White could enjoy success this year.

Talent is still there

Let’s be clear, the Chicago Bears drafted Kevin White 7th overall for a reason.  Coming out of West Virginia, he was considered the second-best receiver in the draft behind Amari Cooper.   However, from a pure talent perspective, they were extremely close.

White was a physical specimen in college, standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 210 pounds.  He had incredible speed, running a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine.  He also had incredible physical strength, outmuscled defensive backs, and was a challenge to tackle.

White had a spectacular senior year, finishing with 109 receptions, 1,447 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Where Kevin White struggled (obviously) was staying healthy.

He missed his entire rookie year after he suffered a stress fracture in his shin during OTAs.  The transition from college to the NFL is obviously significant, and so White missed invaluable repetitions in his first season.  He was unable to develop chemistry with then-Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.  White was also unable to get a feel for the offense and gain a feel for the speed of the NFL game.

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Compounding the problem, White was only able to stay on the field for a total of five games over the next two seasons.

He suffered both a fractured fibula in 2016 and a fractured scapula in 2017.  However, his most recent injury did not impact his lower body.  Conceivably, he has been able to stay in shape and work on his route running this offseason.

As the Instagram post below shows, he appears to have recovered any lost upper-body strength.

You have to feel for White who has had incredibly bad luck with injuries.  However, if he can just stay healthy, he has the physical skills and talent to be a contributor next season.

Matt Nagy effect

If there is a silver-lining to Kevin White missing the last two years, it is that he was not corrupted by the pre-World War II era offense of John Fox and Dowell Loggains.

Instead, he can approach this offseason almost as if it is his rookie year.  White, along with the other receivers that end up on the Bears roster, will be learning a new offense under a new staff.

During his draft combine press conference, new coach Matt Nagy touched on his desire to work with White.  Nagy views White as a “challenge,” but in a good way.  Perhaps Nagy can turn White from a pet project into a full-blown reclamation project by week one.

Due to missing so much time, White is going to need extra attention, coaching, and mentoring.  To be blunt, he was not going to get that from the old staff.

However, with Nagy, Mark Helfrich, and Brad Childress implementing an offensive game plan each week, it is far more likely they will find a way to make White a part of it.  Again, this is all contingent on him staying healthy and on the field, but you have to think his luck will turn at some point.

White will be entering the season with literally no expectations.  There are many in the media and around the league who seem convinced he will not even make the final roster.  Perhaps that is the best thing for him.

Instead of trying to do too much too soon, he can develop as somewhat of an afterthought in Bourbonnais.  You also have to think Nagy will find plenty of ways to get him involved in certain packages.

Getting White on the field as a compliment to Cameron Meredith, and whoever else Ryan Pace brings in this offseason, will allow him to develop at an appropriate pace.  Bears fans expecting him to be a number-one receiver this year will be extremely disappointed. But what fan would not sign up for White as a third or fourth option at this point?

Remember Kyle Fuller

What in the world does Kyle Fuller have to do with Kevin White?  Remember, Fuller was a first-round pick (14th overall) from whom much was expected.  Through his first three seasons, Fuller also failed miserably to meet expectations.

Chicago Bears fans declared him a “bust” and scorned Phil Emery for passing on Ryan Shazier, Zack Martin, and C.J. Mosley.  In fact, Fuller missed the entire 2016 season following knee surgery.  Some, including Vic Fangio, even questioned his commitment to getting back on the field.

Prior to the start of the 2017 season, Ryan Pace declined to exercise Fuller’s fifth-year option, which was the correct move at the time.

Fast forward to today, and fans are ready to run Pace out of town if he does not either sign Fuller to a long-term deal or place the franchise tag on him.  Fuller put it all together last season and had a terrific year.  So why can’t Kevin White do the same?

In fairness, Fuller had considerably more NFL experience before making his leap.  However, the point is certain players take longer than others to develop.  While no one should expect a meteoric rise from White this year, there are reasons to believe he can make significant improvements.

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Bottom Line

I am not suggesting Ryan Pace count on significant contributions from Kevin White this year.  He needs to attack the wide receiver position hard in both free-agency and through the draft.

However, Pace giving up on White now would be short-sighted and a mistake.  Kevin White still has “first-round” talent and could be an effective option as long as Bears fans manage expectations.

Who knows, maybe a year from now fans will wish Pace had exercised White’s fifth-year option like they are with Kyle Fuller.