Bears Sign Dynamic WR to Capitalize on New NFL Kickoff Rule

The Chicago Bears have made several moves this offseason to upgrade the offense around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears traded for Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze while signing D’Andre Swift and Gerald Everett in free agency.

Those additions plus the players already on the roster should help the Bears’ offense to take another leap this coming season. However, Bears general manager Ryan Poles isn’t resting on his laurels and is always looking for firepower on offense or special teams.

Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on Thursday that former Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver/special teams ace DeAndre Carter is signing with the Bears. 

Bears News: Chicago Signs WR DeAndre Carter

It doesn’t come as a surprise to see Chicago go after Carter, especially with the NFL instituting a new kickoff rule that prioritizes returns. Last season, the Bears were ranked 14th in yards per kickoff return (23.7).

Carter should help out the Bears’ return game as he has a career 22.4 yards per kickoff return average. The veteran wide receiver averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return last season with the Raiders after a down 2022 campaign with the Chargers (19.1).

The 5-foot-8 wide receiver will likely compete with Velus Jones Jr. and Tyler Scott for kickoff return duties in the Windy City. It will be one of the more intriguing battles in training camp to follow, as Jones, drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, is trying to make a case to stick on the 53-man roster.

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