The Chicago Bears have obviously emphasized the offense throughout this offseason, utilizing new head coach Ben Johnson's expertise to ensure that young quarterback Caleb Williams has the infrastructure around him to achieve success.
Among the many moves that the Bears made over the last few months included bringing former Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders wideout Olamide Zaccheaus in on a one-year deal.
While Zaccheaus has plenty of experience and could be a valuable contributor, the Bears' selection of Missouri star Luther Burden might mean the vet will be cut before the season even starts.
WHAT IF… Luther Burden is the WR1 on the Bears?
— The Dynasty Grill (@FFDynastyGrill) May 2, 2025
What if Rome Odunze doesn’t take the next step? 🤔🤔pic.twitter.com/X9ht3M0LTz
New Bears WR Signing Olamide Zaccheaus Could Be Cut Before Season Even Starts
To be clear, it's unlikely that Johnson will decide that Zaccheaus should be cut. Nonetheless, it's an increasingly probable conclusion given the decisions that were made over the last few months. D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and now Burden are firmly entrenched on the depth chart. Should Zaccheaus not impress throughout the summer, he could be on the chopping block.
The 2025 Bears would benefit from someone as reliable as Zaccheaus, yet their paltry $1.5 million commitment to him doesn't inspire much confidence. If the organization actually thought he could be a valuable contributor on the offense, why didn't general manager Ryan Poles pay him more?
This is an easy contract to get out of, and Zaccheaus isn't exactly a game-changing talent. He had just 45 catches for 506 yards and three TDs in 2024, which is solid, yet unspectacular. Zaccheaus ranked 47th out of 98 qualified receivers at Pro Football Focus, implying he's a good player, but salaries speak more volume than stats do.
Fans shouldn't expect to see Zaccheaus cut, though they also shouldn't be surprised if he winds up on the chopping block. We'll see what happens throughout the summer but either way, it's clear that the 27-year-old receiver doesn't have a firm spot on the roster.