Chicago Bears: Ted Ginn can no longer return punts

The Chicago Bears need a new punt returner.

Let’s be real clear — the Chicago Bears offense was a complete dumpster fire last night against the Los Angeles Rams. They managed only three points on offense. So this is not meant to suggest Ted Ginn was to blame for the team’s loss, but after his performance on special teams, he cannot see the field again as a punt returner.

When Tarik Cohen was lost for the season performing punt return duties against the Atlanta Falcons, Ginn seemed like a logical replacement. Although long in the tooth at 35-years-old, he has extensive experience in his career returning punts. Moreover, he is lightly used in the passing game, so there is little risk having him back there in the event he gets injured.

However, after serving in that role for the last four games, it is abundantly clear he can no longer return punts. In fact, after his performance last night, you have to wonder whether he should continue to take up a roster spot.

Ginn looked completely disinterested during all five “attempts” at returning Johnny Hekker‘s punts. I placed the word ‘attempts’ in quotation marks because I’m not sure you could even call what he did an ‘attempt.’

There is an old adage that you should never fair catch a punt inside the 10-yard line. But there were at least two instances last night where the Rams had players downfield waiting, the ball landed beyond the 10-yard line, Ginn was within feet of the football, and just casually walked away.

He appeared so disinterested in doing his job that you almost wonder if he was trying to send a message that he was unhappy with his role on the team. If he was trying to send a message, the return message should be clear — your services are no longer needed on this team.

The Bears recently brought in Dwayne Harris for a visit, who has experience returning punts. If healthy, he should instantly replace Ginn on this team and be the punt returner going forward. This team is about to go through a very difficult stretch in its schedule where it could face even more adversity. It doesn’t need defeatist attitudes on the roster.