The Chicago Bears entered the NFL offseason with various areas they needed to address after an underwhelming 2024 performance. The wide receiver room was at the top of general manager Ryan Poles' laundry list if he ever wants quarterback Caleb Williams to reach his full potential, especially now that veteran wideout Keenan Allen left town this offseason.
The NFL world has now reached Week 2 of free agency, and the Bears' lone WR-related signing at this point is Olamide Zaccheaus. Although Zaccheaus does feature downfield-threat potential, Chicago needs more than one new pass-catcher to make Williams' life easier.
Fortunately, the Bears' latest signing on Wednesday not only addresses their wideout needs but will also help in another area that needs love.
Bears Sign Former Pro Bowl Returner/WR Devin Duvernay in Free Agency
NFL insider Jordan Schultz is reporting that the Bears have signed veteran wideout and returner Devin Duvernay to a one-year contract. The former 2020 third-round pick played four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2024 season.
Sources: The #Bears are in agreement on a 1-year deal with WR and 2x Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 19, 2025
Another key addition in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/Gwprw28KuX
The Ravens spent a top-100 pick on Duvernay nearly five years ago following a breakout performance with the Texans Longhorns in 2019. The Sachse, TX native obliterated Big 12 defenses all season long as he set new career highs in receptions (106), receiving yards (1,386), and touchdown catches (9) in 13 games, earning first-team all-conference honors for his work.
After a solid rookie season, Duvernay ended up becoming a big special teams contributor for the Ravens in 2021 while still maintaining his pass-catching responsibilities. The ex-Longhorn averaged an NFL-high 13.8 yards on 26 punt returns while also returning 28 kickoffs for another 676 yards — good enough for his first Pro Bowl appearance and first-team All-Pro nod.
Although Duvernay followed up that effort with another Pro Bowl season in 2022, injuries prevented a similar performance in 2023. He returned to the Ravens' lineup in time for the playoffs after missing four consecutive games, but his postseason performance wasn't good enough for a re-signing, leaving him to join the Jaguars on a two-year contract instead.
The 27-year-old WR ended up playing 13 games for the Jags, hauling in 11 balls for 79 yards while also averaging 8.8 yards on 19 punts and 25.1 yards on 14 kick returns. By the time the smoke cleared, Duvernay finished with grades of 59.3 for overall offense and 60.6 for special teams on Pro Football Focus.
Although his signing isn't the sexiest, Duvernay's addition gives the Bears another potential downfield threat who can also help a special teams unit that finished with the 13th-worst PFF grade. Throw in the fact that it's only a one-year contract, and Chicago's latest move has "low risk, high reward" written all over it.
With the NFL offseason still being young, don't expect the Bears' quest to bolster the WR room to end with Duvernay's signing.