Kalif Raymond didn’t need long to make his case at Bears camp.
One deep shot from Caleb Williams was enough to get attention, with Raymond hauling in a touchdown catch of more than 50 yards that was labeled the highlight of the day. For a Chicago wide receiver group already drawing plenty of buzz, it was another reminder that the free-agent addition could matter right away.
The Bears have plenty of intrigue at receiver, starting with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. Both look poised to fit into the offense, but the bigger questions are still hanging in the air: whether Odunze is ready for the breakout season many expect, and whether Burden can match the offseason hype that followed him into camp.
Then there’s the WR3 spot, which remains up for grabs. Raymond’s early impact gives him a real chance to push into that role, and he already has one thing working in his favor that most newcomers don’t: he knows Ben Johnson. The two were together in Detroit while Johnson was the offensive coordinator for the Lions.
That familiarity matters, especially for a player who can help in more than one way. Raymond brings value as a dependable third-down target and as a return man on special teams. There’s also a good chance Zavion Thomas takes over as the Bears’ main returner, which would allow Raymond to stay focused on offense.
Chicago also needs Raymond for what he can bring beyond the stat sheet. With DJ Moore traded, the Bears’ receiver room lost a veteran presence, and Raymond can help fill that gap while guiding the younger pass-catchers in Johnson’s system.
And if Williams keeps looking like the elite quarterback he appears to be, the Bears have the kind of speed around him that can stress defenses all over the field. Raymond, Burden and Thomas all give Chicago more ways to attack deep, and that should help the passing game stay aggressive in 2026.
With so much talent on that side of the ball, the Bears’ offense enters 2026 with a chance to be one of the NFL’s best. Raymond may not be the loudest name in the group, but he could wind up playing an underrated role in keeping it all moving at a high level.
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