Bears Make Strategic Depth Move, Retain WR Maurice Alexander Ahead of Pivotal Offseason
The Chicago Bears head into the 2026 offseason with plenty of intrigue at the wide receiver position-and they just made a low-risk, potentially high-reward move by retaining Maurice Alexander on a reserve/futures contract. It’s not a headline-grabber, but it’s the kind of roster decision that could quietly pay dividends down the line.
Alexander isn’t coming in to be a game-changer-at least not yet. But what he does bring is versatility, familiarity with the system, and a chance to carve out a role in a receiver room that’s still very much in flux. In an offense that already has promising building blocks like Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Rome Odunze under contract, Alexander’s return gives the Bears a reliable depth piece with special teams upside.
The most interesting wrinkle in this wide receiver picture? DJ Moore.
While he’s still on the roster, his future in Chicago feels murky. The chemistry between Moore and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams never quite clicked during the regular season.
A trade could be on the table-one that might benefit both sides. However, Moore did show flashes in the postseason, stepping up when it mattered most, while Odunze struggled to find his footing under the playoff spotlight.
That contrast could complicate any decisions about Moore’s future, but it also underscores just how unsettled the depth chart remains.
And that’s where Alexander could find his opportunity.
With Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay both set to hit free agency, the Bears are staring at a potential void at the bottom of the depth chart. That opens the door for Alexander to compete not only for a final roster spot but possibly as a return specialist-a role he has experience in and one that becomes even more valuable if Duvernay walks.
From a roster-building perspective, this is a smart, cost-effective move. Alexander comes at a bargain rate, and while he may not be penciled into the offensive rotation just yet, his special teams value gives him a legitimate path to stick. In today’s NFL, where roster spots are at a premium and versatility is king, players like Alexander can become quietly essential over the course of a long season.
The bigger picture for Chicago is this: the receiver room is far from settled. With a talented backfield expected to carry a significant workload and help control the tempo of games, the Bears don’t need a receiver group that’s five-deep with stars-they need reliable contributors who can make the most of limited targets. That likely means some tough decisions are coming, and at least one notable name could be on the way out.
But it also means opportunity. And for Maurice Alexander, that’s all he needs. The Bears are giving him a shot-and in an offseason full of question marks, that’s already a small win.