Tag: Dante Pettis

7 Bears veterans in need of a strong training camp

These Bears players may not necessarily be on the bubble heading into camp, but they need a good showing when practices begin.

We’re inching closer and closer to the start of training camp for the Chicago Bears and many storylines will begin to unfold, from the ascent of the rookies to how new veterans will gel with the team. No matter what direction you look in, there’s going to be something of note to watch when camp begins.

One of those storylines will involve veterans who may not necessarily be on the roster bubble but will need strong camp performances to solidify their position. Whether that’s as a starter or a backup. Here are seven of those players who will benefit greatly from a strong camp showing.

8 Bears players on the roster bubble heading into training camp

These Bears players will need a strong camp to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster.

Chicago Bears training camp is drawing closer each day and it’s only a matter of time before players report to Halas Hall and begin practicing. While fans are eager to see players such as Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jaquan Brisker, training camp will be vital for those near the bottom of the depth chart looking to make the initial 53-man roster.

From former first-round picks to undrafted free agents, everyone will need to do their part to earn a roster spot when practices get underway. Here are eight players on the roster bubble heading into camp that will be worth watching.

Bears re-sign WR Dante Pettis to 1-year deal

The Bears are bringing back a familiar face in WR Dante Pettis, who’s signing a one-year deal with Chicago.

The Chicago Bears are bringing back a familiar face in wide receiver Dante Pettis, who’s signing a one-year deal with the team as the offseason program gets underway.

The Bears signed Pettis to a one-year deal last offseason where the expectation was he’d serve as WR6 and contribute on special teams. Instead, Pettis wound up more involved on offense than many expected during the 2022 season.

Pettis, who played in 17 games, was the team’s fifth-leading receiver with 245 yards on 19 catches and led all Bears receivers in touchdowns (3) in 2022. While Pettis had his struggles with drops, he did have his moments in the passing game, highlighted by some deep receptions.

Pettis was also the team’s primary punt returner — after Velus Jones Jr. struggled with muffed punts early in the season — serving a dual role for Chicago.

Now, Pettis returns to an improved receiving corp that acquired DJ Moore in a trade. Pettis projects as WR6 on this team behind Moore, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney, Velus Jones and Equanimeous St. Brown, who also signed a one-year extension before the end of the 2022 season.

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1 pending free agent Chargers could target from each NFL team

Here’s a look at one pending free agent from each NFL team that could interest the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be as aggressive as they have been in recent years regarding signing free agents.

Even after making moves to get cap compliant before the new league year begins on Wednesday, Los Angeles’ priorities will be to re-sign some of their players and extend Justin Herbert.

After that, they should have some spendings available to sign some low-cost players.

That said, here is one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Should Dante Pettis be back in Chicago?

Dante Pettis was more involved on offense for the Bears than many expected before the start of the 2022 season.

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

We’re wrapping things up with wide receiver Dante Pettis, who had an unexpected impactful role during the 2022 season for Chicago.

Grading the Bears 2022 free agency class

Ryan Poles made many low-risk moves for the Bears last year in free agency. Here’s how we graded his signings.

The 2023 free agency period is almost here and the Chicago Bears are sure to be active with what should be an exciting offseason. With the most available cap space in the NFL, the Bears should be able to pay top dollar to the free agent of their choice. It’s a big difference from where the team was last offseason during Ryan Poles’ first year as general manager.

Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus took a more conservative approach to free agency, focusing on quantity with one and two-year deals as they had to manage millions of dollars in dead cap. None of their 2022 signings broke the bank, ensuring they had plenty of flexibility this offseason after they had a chance to evaluate the team.

Now that nearly a full year has passed since last free agency began, we graded each significant free agent signing the Bears made in 2022.

8 pending free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears shouldn’t re-sign in 2023.

The offseason is in full swing, and we’re just over a month away from the start of the new league year and free agency. And the Bears have some important decisions to make when it comes to in-house free agents.

The Bears are slated to have nearly $98.6 million in salary cap space — which is the most in the league (by a wide margin) — and there are plenty of holes to fill on the roster for new general manager Ryan Poles. Perhaps a few of those roster spots will be filled by some of Chicago’s in-house free agents, including some key contributors from last season that could be back as starters or reserves.

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023.

Bears 2023 offseason preview: Where does Chicago stand at wide receiver?

Our offseason position previews continue with WRs, a group that was bolstered during the 2022 season but still needs a difference maker.

The 2023 offseason is officially in full swing, and the Chicago Bears are gearing up for what should be one of the busiest springs in recent memory.

Armed with $98.6 million in cap space, general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus will have plenty of opportunities to improve the team roster in free agency, while also needing to make key decisions on which players they should let walk.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2023 offseason. Next up is wide receiver, a position that was bolstered during the 2022 season, but one that could use another difference maker.

Bears 2022 STs review: Cairo Santos takes step back

We close out our Bears position series by looking at the special teams players, who took a collective step back last season.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. We close out the position series by looking at the special teams players, who took a collective step back last season.

Bears 2022 WR review: New faces fail to make a difference

Our next Bears position review focuses on the wide receivers, a group that featured many new players who disappointed as a whole.

The Chicago Bears wrapped the 2022 season with a 3-14 record, which culminated in a 10-game losing streak. But there’s still reasons to be optimistic about the future, including a boatload of salary cap space, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft and the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2022 Bears and grading every player. After looking at quarterbacks and running backs, we’re staying on offense with the wide receivers, a group that featured many new faces but disappointed as a whole in 2022.