Like death and taxes, the annual love affair with a fringe wide receiver and Bears fans is scheduled to begin in a few weeks when training camp opens next month. Wide Receivers who fans have had a love affair with during preseason include names like Airese Currie in 2005 and Devin Aromashodu in 2009 comes to mind. Tanner Gentry stole the hearts of Bears fans in 2017, and his time with the Bears resembled a roller coaster ride more than a football career.
Of the three players mentioned, only Aromashodu enjoyed any playing time with the team during the regular season. Devin’s moment in the sun came during a week 15 game in 2009. Aromashodu had seven receptions for 150 yards. His 39-yard TD grab in overtime gave the Bears a thrilling 36-30 win over division rival Minnesota.
Here are this year’s candidates for this year’s Tanner Gentry Award:
Joe Reed (Virginia): Reed was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft by the L. A. Chargers. Reed has been on the roster for 12 Charger games and has one career TD. He has been on the Chargers practice squad for the last two years. Chicago signed Reed to a futures contract this past January.
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Thyrick Pitts (Delaware): Pitts is a UDFA out of Delaware. He totaled 57 receptions for 631 yards and 10 TDs in 2022. The 6′ 3″ WR ran a blistering 4.37 at Delaware’s pro day. Look for Pitts to be an early fan favorite during the preseason. His tall frame and top-tier speed are a target Bears QBs need to focus on this Summer.
Daurice Fountain (Northern Iowa): Daurice Fountain was signed to the Bears Practice Squad during Week 8 last year. Fountain has logged time with the Colts from 2018-2020 and the Kansas City Chiefs (2020-2021).
Aron Cruickshank (Rutgers): After two seasons at Wisconsin, Aron transferred to Rutgers for his final two years of eligibility. In 2022, he had career highs in receptions (42) and yards (385). According to reports, Cruickshank is a better-than-average return man. But with a roster full of WRs adept at returns, Aron Cruickshank’s road to a roster spot appears to be more of an obstacle course at Halas Hall.
The road to making the 53-man team at WR is more challenging than any time during the last 20 years or more in Chicago, but these athletes are NOT just looking for a roster spot in Chicago. Every time they touch the ball, whether at practice or during a preseason game, they are auditioning for a spot on an NFL roster for any of the league’s 32 teams.
We wish them all well on their journey.
Why do Bears fans always seem to gravitate toward a Free Agent Wide Receiver? And who will it be this year? My early vote goes to Thyrick Pitts from Delaware. List your favorite and reasons why in the comment section. Training Camp begins July 26th at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.
