The Chicago Bears completed their first round of OTAs this week. The offseason program will continue until the mandatory minicamp kicks off on June 3. The team will then reconvene in late July for training camp. Throughout this process, the Bears will try to trim down the roster to 53 players. This means that there will be some tough decisions that need to be made. This includes parting ways with players they don't want to be parting ways with.
One of those players likely will be talented wide receiver Tyler Scott. Chicago's fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft may find it hard to crack the 53-man roster after the training camp, as he faces an uphill battle in a crowded WR room.
Tyler Scott's Time in Chicago May Be Coming to an End
Scott was already facing stiff competition before the draft. After Chicago had Luther Burden unexpectedly fall into their laps, the Bears simply have too many playmakers of similar profiles to Scott.
Earlier in the offseason, the Bears signed Devin Duvernay and Olamide Zaccheaus. Duvernay is a great return man and will almost certainly take over those duties to begin the season. Zaccheaus is an established small and shifty pass-catcher in the mold of Scott. With Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, and Luther Burden projected to be the starters, there is simply not a role for Scott to play.
Plus, Scott would still have to beat out Miles Boykin even if the Bears decided to bring in six receivers to the final roster. Boykin is a big-bodied receiver who could offer a different element to the Bears' attack. Scott isn't a great blocker or a separator, and doesn't provide value on special teams. It is hard to see him carve out a role unless he completely breaks out during camp.
Bears fans like Scott, and he certainly has some potential. As things stand now, however, odds are stacked against him to be suiting up for the Bears in Week 1.