The Chicago Bears have made some big changes to the wide receiver room this offseason, with the departure of veteran DJ Moore being the headline-grabbing move after the Bears traded him to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for draft compensation.
While getting Moore out of town opens up a larger role for 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III, important depth roles at wide receiver remain up for grabs as of this writing. Despite a talent-rich WR draft class, Chicago's main focus will likely be on the defensive side of the ball and in the trenches, rather than on more pass catchers for Caleb Williams.
Should conventional wisdom hold true, and the Bears focus on pass rushers and offensive linemen early in the draft, an intriguing opportunity will present itself for a lesser-heralded addition to the roster this spring, Maurice Alexander.
Bears FA Addition Maurice Alexander Flying Under Radar Entering 2026
Alexander joined Chicago after signing a reserve/futures contract with the franchise in January. More often than not, players on those kinds of deals are focused on fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster more than being part of the 2-deep on the depth chart. However, that is the position Alexander finds himself in days ahead of the 2026 draft, with that opportunity to be part of the puzzle on offense being there for him, assuming he puts his best foot forward during OTAs and training camp.
The fact that Alexander has experience as a return specialist should only help his cause, as well. A player in his position needs to show versatility, and special teams contributions are a great way to do that.
For plenty of reasons, the bulk of the attention when examining who will step up and take control of the WR3 spot behind Rome Odunze and Burden has focused on veteran Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker. Of the receivers signed to the roster, outside of Odunze and Burden, they are the most likely to get the first crack at that job. Should neither step up and make that job their own, Alexander will be waiting in the wings for his opportunity.
Raymond is familiar with Ben Johnson and the offensive principles he builds his attack from, but that doesn't guarantee him the job in any way, shape, or form. Walker played in nine games for the Bears during the 2025 campaign, but with six receptions to his name for his career, there is little reason to feel fully comfortable with him as the answer either.
This presents a level playing field for Alexander, which is all he could ask for moving forward. Nothing will be handed to him, nor should it be, but if the former Florida International standout can put together an impressive offseason campaign and a strong performance in camp, then Alexander will have a fighting chance. That is all he can ask for.
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