The Chicago Bears' running game has turned the corner after a slow start to the season. They now rank second in the league at 153.8 rushing yards per game, and they've been instrumental in putting up 26.1 points per contest, the eighth-most in the NFL. However, as coach Ben Johnson said, this team is winning despite their passing game, not thanks to it.
Those comments show that they're not happy with the way the personnel is operating, and while it might be a jab at Caleb Williams and his accuracy issues, the pass catchers should also take notice. Notably, that should especially be the case with Olamide Zaccheaus.
Olamide Zaccheaus Needs to Step Up to Remain With Bears
Zaccheaus is about to become a free agent at the end of the season, and with the way he's played, coupled with Luther Burden III looking better by the day, he might have to put in a lot of work to convince GM Ryan Poles that he deserves to be on this roster next season.
So far, Zaccheaus has logged a Pro Football Focus grade of 59.5, which ranks 71st among 84 eligible wide receivers. If that wasn't bad enough for him, Burden has posted a PFF grade of 73.2, the 26th-highest in the league.
Despite playing 156 fewer snaps, Burden has already put up more receiving yards (328) than Zaccheaus (273), and they have as many touchdowns (1 each). Burden has also been much more efficient, as he's gotten that production out of 26 catches, nine fewer than Zaccheaus.
The Bears already have two star wide receivers in Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore, and Burden III is trending in the right direction. Considering that, this team might not want to spend money and resources on a player who's more than likely to lose his spot to the rookie.
Ben Johnson's team is sitting on the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and they've won nine of their last ten games. However, they still need to get past the Green Bay Packers (twice) and Detroit Lions, and they'll face two outstanding defenses in the San Francisco 49ers and the Cleveland Browns.
That will put even more pressure on Williams, and with Zaccheaus dropping four passes already, he will have to do plenty of catching up if he wants to prove that he's worth another chance to return to the Windy City in 2026.