The Chicago Bears have gone to the veteran market to patch a thin spot at wide receiver, adding Ray-Ray McCloud III as injuries continue to shape the roster in training camp.
The move comes after Luther Burden III and Zavion Thomas both went down. Burden is expected to miss about a month, while Thomas is not expected to be out nearly as long. To make room, the Bears released wide receiver Kyron Hudson with an injury designation.
McCloud arrives with plenty of NFL mileage. A former sixth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2018, he has carved out a nine-year career across seven teams. Last season, he split time between the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Giants, catching seven passes for 69 yards in six games while also handling four kickoff returns for 91 yards.
He has built most of his value as a return specialist, though he has shown he can contribute on offense too. McCloud posted 686 receiving yards with the Falcons in 2024, and he’s been viewed as a dependable slot option who can help on third down.
For Chicago, the immediate plan is clear: McCloud will step in as the return specialist in place of Thomas. He may get a look at slot receiver as well, but that role appears to be spoken for with Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker in the mix.
With those pieces in place, the Bears figure to lean more on Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland in the passing game for now. Raymond and Walker could also see more opportunities, and Kaden Davis has been one of the camp standouts over the last week, so his role with the starters could grow too.
McCloud looks like a useful short-term answer, and the Bears should be able to get immediate value from him. Whether he sticks on the roster may depend on how the injuries to Thomas and Burden develop. If McCloud flashes as a returner, that could make the decision a lot tougher.
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