he Chicago Bears are adding another veteran wide receiver and return specialist to their offseason roster ahead of next month’s NFL training camp.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Schultz, the Bears are signing former Las Vegas Raiders veteran DeAndre Carter to their 90-man roster. The team has not officially announced Carter’s signing, but a corresponding roster move would not be necessary to add him.
Carter played a minimal role on offense for the Raiders in 2023, but he served as their primary return specialist on both punts and kickoffs during the season. He averaged 9.7 yards on 24 punt returns and 23.8 yards on 11 kickoff returns, making him a potential asset for the Bears as they adjust to the NFL’s new kickoff rules for the 2024 season.
Carter, 31, has also caught 108 passes for 1,259 yards and six touchdowns over his first six seasons in the league. He had his best season as a pass-catcher with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022, catching 46 passes for 538 yards for three scores, and could push the less experienced receivers on the Bears’ roster for a spot on the 53-man roster.
Once Carter’s signing becomes official, Chicago will have reached its 90-man limit for its offseason roster. If the Bears want to sign anyone else between now and July 26’s first training camp practice, they must also make a corresponding cut to make room.
yardage Had Previous Stint With 2020 Bears
Carter might be a new addition for the 2024 Bears, but he has spent time in Chicago before. He played four games for the Bears under Matt Nagy’s coaching regime in 2020 but saw no action on offense, instead returning just four punts for 30 combined yards.
As forgettable as Carter’s first stint might have been, though, the Bears likely recognize he has the potential to be an asset for them on special teams. The six-year veteran has more punt return yardage (1,294) and kick return yardage (2,646) than receiving yards (1,259) in his 94 career games. He has also returned more than 100 punts and kickoffs, giving him a degree of experience that separates him from the rest of Chicago’s pack.
Carter’s return prowess could come in handy in light of the NFL’s changes to the kickoff format. On kickoffs now, only the kicker and the receiving team’s two designated return specialists can move before either a player touches the ball or the ball hits the ground between the 20-yard line and the goal line. The hope is the league will see more kickoff returns in the 2024 season after seeing a record-low return rate in 2023.
If the Bears feel Carter’s speed and experience can give them an edge in a now more emphasized part of the game, he could have staying power with the team in camp.
