Like Evan Engram, Devin Duvernay did not need to wait too long before finding a post-Jacksonville landing spot. The Bears will add the former All-Pro return man, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweets.
The Jags dropped Engram, Duvernay and Josh Reynolds days before free agency, doing so after trading Christian Kirk to the Texans. The Bears will be Duvernay’s third team, and extensive return-game duties should be expected for the veteran wide receiver.
Although Duvernay has helped out as a receiver, his most notable NFL work has come via the third phase. The former Ravens third-round pick earned first-team All-Pro acclaim for his return-game work in 2021 and added a Pro Bowl nod in 2022. Duvernay has two career kick-return TDs, both coming in Baltimore, and he led the NFL in punt-return average (13.8) in 2021.
The Bears used journeyman DeAndre Carter as their primary kick and punt returner last season. Carter’s contract expired last week. Going into his age-28 season, Duvernay checks in as an upgrade. Duvernay has a notable receiver season on his resume, posting 37 receptions for 407 yards and three TDs during a 2021 season that saw the Ravens decimated at the position. Beyond that, however, the Texas alum does not have a 300-yard year on his resume. Duvernay has combined for 98 receiving yards since 2023.
His 12.0-yard career average on punt returns does give the Bears a quality weapon in the return game. Among players with at least 60 returns since 2010, only Hall of Famer Devin Hester has that beat. It has been a while since Hester dazzled in Chicago; Ben Johnson will hope to coax some impactful ST sequences from Duvernay in his first Windy City season.
So much for drafting a return man. LOL
A better option might be to just sign someone from the CFL where special team play is more exciting and impactful than in the NFL.
Bear fans hoisted another banner for off season victories with this move. Touch question is will it end up in stadium in the city or suburbs
Da Bears would already have their new stadium under construction at Arlington Park … if they only had a brain.
Because building an expensive stadium in the middle of nowhere is totally a good idea.
The Bears happen to own Arlington Park. Former horse racing track in the northwest suburbs with easy access via highway, expressway, and tollway. Stadium would already be under construction except the club’s president wants it within the city of Chicago.
Middle of nowhere? You mean 10 minutes from the 3rd largest airport in the country? Oh yea total wilderness out there in the AH.
Yes, that’s the middle of nowhere.
As opposed to being near one of the biggest and richest downtown cores in the country.
One man’s “middle of nowhere” is another man’s convenient location. Unfortunately, club President Kevin Warren prefers a taxpayer-financed sportsball palace for the Bears built on somebody else’s land in notoriously corrupt Chicago.
Just to catch for 126 yards lmao
He’s an All Pro return man.
Also a. wR
Van Jefferson is also a WR so what’s your point?
What’s your point?
And? How many other All Pro return men are there available?
Another good move by the Bears. They are building a better roster.