The Chicago Bears have a unique situation brewing at wide receiver. For the longest time, this organization has built a reputation for fielding some rather sad pass-catching groups. When you're asking your quarterback to make the most of a special teams ace and a rookie 5th round pick as your primary two options, as Jay Cutler did in 2009, that is bad roster building. GM Ryan Poles doesn't have that problem. On paper, he's done a stellar job beefing up the Bears' receiver room, headlined by a top trade acquisition (D.J. Moore) and two high draft choices (Rome Odunze and Luther Burden). Yet, maybe the most underrated move going into 2025 was quietly signing Olamide Zaccheaus.
He isn't a household name by any means. The former undrafted free agent has quietly worked his way up from the bottom, first in Atlanta and then in Washington last year. He's known for being a quick and agile slot target who can do a little bit of everything. Nobody would confuse him with being a star, but that isn't why the Bears signed him. ESPN insider Bill Barnwell believes they have bigger plans for the veteran than they're letting on.
He is probably the best #4 option in the NFL, which means more than you think.
Fourth wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Chicago Bears
There are certainly bigger names who might fall fourth on a depth chart at wide receiver, such as Diontae Johnson (Browns) or Demarcus Robinson (49ers), but this is a spot where receivers are expected to do more than catch passes. Teams need their fourth and fifth wideouts to block in the run and screen games and still make an impact as a pass catcher when their number is called or when the top guys aren't on the field.
While Zaccheaus might have been something closer to the second or third wide receiver for the Commanders last season, he is expected to slot in behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and rookie second-round pick Luther Burden III in Chicago. Don't be surprised if Zaccheaus is on the field more often than you would expect -- coaches love him.
Olamide Zaccheaus gives the Bears tons of flexibility.
Head coach Ben Johnson likes using players as chess pieces on a board. The more he can move them around to create matchups, the better. Olamide Zaccheaus has enough wiggle and route-running skill to play in the slot but also enough speed to threaten from the outside. Couple that with his willingness as a blocker, and you have somebody who can give defenses a headache. Opponents will be so busy trying to contain Moore, Odunze, Burden, Cole Kmet, and Colston Loveland that they won't have the time to prepare for the threat Zaccheaus poses. He may not get a heavy share of targets this season, but he will pop up at least two or three times a game in key situations. Guys like him flip games when you least expect it. The fact that he's the fourth option is a great sign for Chicago.
