It’s no secret that the Bears had some major position voids to fill going into the 2024 new league year. With veterans like Eddie Jackson, Cody Whitehair, Justin Jones, Darnell Mooney, and Yannick Ngakoue no longer under contract, it appeared, at least on paper, that the Center, Safety, Wide Receiver, Defensive End, and Defensive Tackle positions were in the most obvious need of an upgrade. While Ryan Poles and his team did a great job filling the roster with key veteran acquisitions during the first two waves of free agency, there is still plenty of work to be done in both the upcoming draft and the final free agency wave. But one position that has yet to be discussed is one that has quietly been the Achilles heel of the team over the last few years: kick returner.
With the NFL’s new kickoff rule change there will undoubtedly be newfound excitement pumped into the stadium every time the opposing team’s kickoff unit trots out onto the field. Thus, it will be in Poles’ best interest to add a spark to the roster at the kick returner position. It’s fitting that just a couple of months removed from Bears’ former kick return legend Devin Hester being inducted into the Hall of Fame, the Bears will again try to catch that lightning in a bottle. Aside from a few flashes from Cordarrelle Patterson and Tarik Cohen, the team’s kick return unit has been, at best, non-existent and, at worst, catastrophic. Flashes of Velus Jones Jr. muffing late-game kicks in game-defining moments over the last couple of years instantly rush to mind.
It’s hard to ignore the fact that, due to the rule change, the kick return game is again primed and ready to deliver as much excitement as it did during the days Hester was running back kicks. There are countless examples of Hester taking a late-game punt to the house to flip momentum or even win the game. Even if a team gets only a large chunk run on a kickoff or punt return, the impact on field position and strategy is tremendously impacted. This is something that many around the league will keep a close eye on with the new kickoff rules. As we’ve seen many times with recent Bears teams, those small special teams moments can be the difference between the Bears being a playoff team or, instead, earning the number one overall pick.
Just in case reading that first segment regarding Velus Jones triggered any fandom PTSD, here is the iconic video of Devin Hester returning the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl to cleanse your palate.
The obvious conclusion here is that the Bears need an upgrade at the kick returner position if they want to take a leap forward into becoming a playoff team next year.
So now that we’ve established the Bears’ clear need at the position, let’s contemplate the potential options Poles should evaluate to fill the void.
Free Agency
While I fully understand the logic behind wanting to fill this positional need with a trusted veteran after what happened with Velus Jones, the truth of the matter is that there simply wasn’t a game-changing returner on the 2024 free agency market. Here are the players on the table when free agency began (and not a single one of them screams game changer):
- Devon Duvernay: *Signed with Jaguars*, 9th best-ranked punt returner in 2023
- Isaiah McKenzie: *Signed with Giants*, 20th best-ranked punt returner in 2023
- Braxton Berrios: *Re-Signed with Dolphins*, 17th best-ranked punt returner in 2023
- ***Imit Smith-Marsette: *Signed with Panthers*, 6th best-ranked punt returner in 2023
***NO CHANCE AFTER SMITH-MARSETTE’S GAME-LOSING FUMBLE DURING HIS LAST STINT WITH BEARS***
Ultimately, our best bet at landing a true game-changer will be in the upcoming draft. So let’s take a look at some of the possible criteria points that Poles will use to find the next Devon Hester.
How Poles Evaluates Wide Receivers
Let’s be honest, the overwhelming majority of kick and punt returners used in the NFL these days play wide receiver as their primary position. So, in order to get an idea of who Poles might select, we first must understand what measurables he prefers from the position group as a whole. Based on his two wide receiver selections thus far, here is what we know:
-At least 5’10” tall
-Weigh 177+ lbs
-Ran a sub 4.5 second 40 yard dash
-Vertical jump over 33 inches
Velus Jones Jr.
-6’0
-204 lbs
-4.31 second 40 yard dash
-33 inch vertical jump
-2021 Co-SEC Special Teams Player of the Year
Tyler Scott
-5’10”
-177 lbs
-4.44 second 40 yard dash
-39.5 inch vertical jump
-Did not return kicks in college
Although both players technically play the same position, it is pretty clear each of them was drafted to fill two completely different areas of need for the team. While Velus Jones Jr. was drafted early in the third round, it is my belief that Poles viewed him as a raw prospect that fills an immediate need in the kick return game and could eventually develop into a number three or four wide receiver on the depth chart. Scott, on the other hand, was drafted in the fourth round as a downfield receiving threat and potential replacement for Darnell Mooney.
It’s clear that when it comes to drafting a wide receiver with the intention of making them the team’s kick/punt returner, proven success as a returner in college, as well as speed, tend to carry the most weight in Poles’ mind.
The Home Run Option
Xavier Worthy
-5’11”
-165 lbs
-4.21 second 40 yard dash
-41 inch vertical jump
While slightly undersized for an NFL wide receiver, Worthy is the ideal prospect to fill the Bears’ punt returner needs. He led the NCAA in punt return yards in 2023 and averaged almost 17 yards per return. Xavier showed off his elite speed as he broke the NFL combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash with his 4.21-second time. The issue for the Bears will be draft positioning. Worthy is climbing up teams’ big boards after a strong combine, and with the possibility that Poles takes one of the top receiver prospects with the 9th overall pick, I don’t see a world where Worthy slips into the third round. However, this would be an absolute homerun pick if Poles decides to trade back from 9 into the mid-to-late first round to collect additional picks early in the draft.
Runner Up Options at WR
Keon Coleman
-6’3”
-213 lbs
-4.61 second 40 yard dash
-38 inch vertical jump
After an underwhelming combine performance, I also see a world where Coleman slips into the second round of the draft. If the Bears can swing a trade to acquire a selection in the second round, this could be an interesting option. Coleman had 13 receiving touchdowns in 2023 and is a legitimate number 3 receiver behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen. He also provided a spark as a punt returner for the Seminoles, so this would be a strong selection to fill two team needs with one pick.
Ainias Smith
-5’9”
-190 lbs
-NR 40 yard dash (injury)
-NR vertical jump (injury)
Smith played five years for the Aggies and was a very competent kick returner when healthy, including during the 2023 season. He had the third most punt return yards in the NCAA last year, and was a very productive kick returner as well. Due to his extensive experience and success as a returner, this would be a later-round flier by the Bears if the board doesn’t fall their way early on in the draft. Ainias also played in the Senior Bowl which has carried additional weight in Poles’ previous draft decisions.
Non Wide Receiver Prospects
Cooper DeJean (CB)
-6’0”
-205 lbs
-NR 40 yard dash (injury)
-NR vertical jump (injury)
Admittedly, this is by far the least likely option listed. It would likely also involve a trade back from the number 9 overall pick. But, regardless, DeJean has not only proven to be a high-end cornerback, although he is also a very productive punt returner. Poles has proven time and time again that he and Eberflus can never have enough good cornerbacks on the roster. Bringing both elements of his game to Chicago could provide an immediate spark, both on defense and special teams.
Daequan Hardy (CB)
-5’9”
-179 lbs
-4.38 second 40 yard dash
-42.5 inch vertical jump
Hardy would be another example of a late-round flier to fill the team’s need at punt returner and add some additional depth to the cornerback room. However, this option is very much in the realm of reality. He led the nation with two punt return touchdowns in 2023 and averaged almost 15 yards per return. His 4.3 speed is exactly what Poles looks for in a return man, and he could prove to be an immediate asset both as a punt returner and a kick team gunner. Keep an eye on this name when the Bears are on the clock late in the draft.
Final Thoughts
While it would without a doubt require some creative maneuvering by Poles to position the team to draft the top options on this list, I can one hundred percent see any player on this list making an impact in the return game. The WR3 spot is wide open, and top cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, has struggled to stay healthy for most of his career thus far, so Poles needs to be ready with plenty of high-end depth if the trend continues.
Regardless, the Bears need a competent punt returner in order to take the next step forward in 2024. In my opinion, that step will come from the draft. Continuing to roll out Velus Jones would be the definition of insanity at this point. It’s time for Poles and Co. to bring in the next great Bears kick returner.
