Former Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis has made a huge push to find his way onto the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster this summer. The NCAA all-time leader record holder in punt returns for a touchdown has had the best camp and preseason of his career this summer and should find himself on the team after final cuts are made on Tuesday, August 27.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles has completely changed the look of the wide receiver room in Chicago over the offseason, trading for six-time Pro Bowl honoree Keenan Allen and drafting another former Husky, Rome Odunze, to compliment DJ Moore and quarterback Caleb Williams.
While Pettis won’t crack the starting rotation, he has shined while competing for one of the team’s reserve roles.
Dante Pettis when lined up in the slot this preseason:
🔶 91.1 receiving grade (1st)
🔶 5 first downs (1st)
🔶 98 yards (2nd)
🔶 2 TDs (1st)
🔶 158.3 rating when targeted (1st) pic.twitter.com/HUPsZFeAyN— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) August 21, 2024
Pettis has made a strong case for himeslf in the three games he’s played this preseason, posting 5 catches for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns.
His main competition for a roster spot, Collin Johnson, has been sidelined with an injury, which has also opened up a bigger role for Pettis to produce.
This route by Dante Pettis. Attack inside shoulder hit him with that shake. Have patience. Touchdown. Teach tape.
Tyson Bagent looking confident. #DaBears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/JRxvsqWXWk
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) August 17, 2024
Pettis has also built a strong connection with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent, which resulted in some big plays against the Cincinnati Bengals, including a perfect pitch-and-catch between the two for a 25-yard touchdown.
I asked Dante Pettis about this throw from Tyson Bagent.
Pettis: “A dot. I knew it when I saw it. I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is perfect.’ He couldn’t have walked out there and handed it to me any better.”
🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/vxbFqpIokr
— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) August 17, 2024
Pettis didn’t suit up for the team’s final preseason game, which could be a good sign that coach Matt Eburflus has seen all he needs to from the former second-round pick.
He can add depth to an already formidable wide receiving corps with his speed, route running ability and talent in the return game. Combined with his strong preseason, Pettis appears to be exactly what Chicago is looking for as the team continues to build a strong group of skill players around Williams.