LAKE FOREST, Ill. (104.3 The Score) — Bears head coach Ben Johnson doesn’t view his wide receivers through the prism of an order on a depth chart. In his mind, everyone needs to play a role for his scheme to be successful.
Heading into Johnson’s second year leading the Bears, that wide receiver group will feature a different look. DJ Moore, once the top target in Chicago, was traded to Buffalo in March. Rome Odunze (the No. 9 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft) and and Luther Burden III (a second-round pick in 2025) will be asked to fill bigger roles with Moore gone.
Beyond Odunze and Burden, it's unclear how the Bears' wide receiver position will take shape. The Bears signed veteran Kalif Raymond in large part off the endorsement of Johnson himself. They added a speed threat in Zavion Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft in April. An undrafted free agent a year ago, Jahdae Walker will compete for a role in Chicago's offense. And seven-year veteran Scotty Miller earned a roster spot after his tryout over the weekend at rookie minicamp.
The Bears also have wide receivers Maurice Alexander, Kyron Hudson and Omari Kelly competing for roster spots. For Johnson, there’s a thorough evaluation taking place.
“I’ve been really encouraged by what I've seen so far,” Johnson said. “I think when you look at it, it’s a group that really complements each other. We’ve got a good mix of long speed, quickness, guys that may be better suited inside the numbers, a few guys that are going to be able to thrive outside the numbers. So, I like the mix and the makeup.
“My experience has been you can’t have enough of those guys. Particularly over the course of training camp, you know guys are going to get dinged up. So, you need to have a stable of those guys to be able to ensure you get enough reps for the quarterbacks and everyone else. So, I think that depth is going to be one of the things we're on the lookout for here over the course of the spring and training camp. But I do feel good about how that rooms complements each other right now.”
Johnson isn't one to force the football to any particular wide receiver. That's part of why Moore had a drop in production in 2025, hauling in just 50 receptions after posting 98 catches in 2024. Burden had 47 receptions in 15 games and took on a larger role late in the season as Odunze missed five games with an injury. For his part, Odunze has a strong rapport with third-year quarterback Caleb Williams, with 44 catches and six touchdown receptions in 12 games in 2025.
The Bears will count on Raymond to a reliable veteran in their offense. Walker has the opportunity to secure more snaps in his second NFL season, and Miller will get the chance to prove himself in training camp.
Special teams value will also play a role in determining who makes the Bears’ roster. Miller faces a heightened challenge to make the team because of his lack of experience in special teams.
The real determining factor will be once training camp begins in late July and the Bears begin working at full speed. That’s when Johnson will get a true sense for how he wants this wide receiver group to take shape.
Chris Emma covers the Bears and the Chicago sports scene for 104.3 The Score.
