The Chicago Bears are the talk of the NFL world after trading for wide receiver Keenan Allen while deciding what to do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. As they decide between a new quarterback with that pick or Justin Fields, general manager Ryan Poles has decided to bring back former Washington Huskies wide receiver Dante Pettis on a one-year contract.
After being drafted in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, Pettis has spent the last three seasons with the Bears. In 2022, he pulled in 19 receptions for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns before missing all of 2023 with an injury.
During his time at Washington, Pettis was a consensus First-Team All-American in 2017 and set an NCAA record with 9 punt returns for a touchdown. He finished his career with 153 catches for 2,256 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The Bears appear to be loading up on offense after adding Allen in a trade with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night and signing running back D’Andre Swift in free agency. Pettis should provide quality depth for Chicago while also acting as a returner.