After finishing 5-12 a year ago, the Chicago Bears are looking for some players to step up this season. The list includes a few usual suspects, including Caleb Williams and new additions such as Joe Thuney and first-round pick Colston Loveland. But if the Bears are going to get out of the NFC North’s cellar this season, they’re going to need more from their receiver room.
Chicago wasn’t short on talent a year ago, with D.J. Moore leading the way. But many are expecting a second-year leap from Rome Odunze and have high expectations for rookie Luther Burden to fuel Ben Johnson’s offense. While that trio could grab most of the headlines, there’s an under-the-radar pass catcher that’s having a strong camp and could be a secret weapon once the season begins.
Will have plenty of thoughts and observations from the Bears-Bills joint practice later today, but here’s one: all Olamide Zaccheaus does is make plays.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) August 15, 2025
New Bears WR Olamide Zaccheaus May Be the Star of Training Camp
The Bears didn’t create much buzz when they signed Olamide Zaccheaus from the Washington Commanders last spring. But if Friday’s joint practice with the Buffalo Bills is any indication, he could be much more than a depth receiver.
The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain sounded the alarm on Friday, claiming that all Zaccheaus does is make plays. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin followed up at about the same time, reporting that Williams hit Zaccheaus for a “40ish” yard touchdown. Adam Jahns of CHGO Sports reported that Zaccheaus finished the day taking a reception from Williams to the house in the final team period, perhaps signaling what Zaccheaus can do in this offense.
The 28-year-old has averaged 28 catches for 382 yards and two touchdowns over six seasons and has topped 500 receiving yards just twice in his career. The good news is that last year was one of those seasons with 45 catches for 506 yards and three touchdowns to help Washington get to the NFC Championship Game. Former NFL tight end Clay Harbor also noted that Zaccheaus was 13th in the NFL in yards after catch per reception.
It’s that type of performance that also caused ESPN’s Bill Barnwell to label Zaccheaus as “a luxury player” when it comes to fourth receivers in the league for his receiving and blocking abilities.
“Zaccheaus is undersized at 5-foot-8, 193 pounds, but he has still carved out a role in the NFL by being an aggressive, willing blocker,” Barnwell wrote. “He was effective as both a blocker and receiver on the tunnel and bubble screens the Commanders ran last season; he was also capable of finding holes out of coverage in the slot. He averaged a respectable 1.9 yards per route run last season, just ahead of DK Metcalf (Seahawks) and Jordan Addison (Vikings). And while Zaccheaus is never going to command their sort of target share, [the 28-year-old] is one of the league’s most effective wideouts without the ball in his hands.”
Zaccheaus downplayed his impressive camp, saying his job is to “focus on my routine.” But it’s clear that his routine has produced results earlier than expected. While Chicago has other things to figure out, like who is playing left tackle, Zaccheaus could be pushing for a big role and give the Bears an unlikely boost this season.