Chicago Bears fans love an underdog story. It’s been that way for ages. That is why every year it feels like a particular name emerges during training camp that they can’t help but root for. Everybody remembers Dane Sanzenbacher and Tanner Gentry. More recently, that honor belonged to Jahdae Walker, an undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M who went on to catch one of the most important touchdowns in franchise history against Green Bay. Fans love these stories because they embody the classic American dream. Rags to riches, etc.
That begs the obvious question. Who will be the player to claim that title this year? There is no shortage of possibilities. Chicago signed several undrafted free agents. Maybe it will be Kennesaw State running back Coleman Bennett or Michigan State wide receiver Omari Kelly. However, a recent move by the team may have found a possible frontrunner. That is Kaden Davis, a recent standout of the United Football League as both a wide receiver and return man.
Davis is a classic Chicago Bears training camp type.
He checks all the boxes: undersized, wide receiver, white, a former undrafted free agent, and has delivered constant flashes despite limited opportunities. His story is a wild one. He emerged on the college scene at Butler Community College, passed up an opportunity at Kansas State to get a full scholarship at Northwest Missouri State, a Division II school. He went for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior. That earned him an undrafted contract with Denver, but he failed to make the roster.
Davis moved to the UFL in 2023 and had 416 total yards with two touchdowns in just five games for the Michigan Panthers. He bounced around various practice squads over the next few years before landing in Cleveland, where he earned a few callups to the main roster with the Browns. A coaching change there compelled him to head back to the UFL, where he joined the Houston Gamblers. He produced 10 returns for 275 yards on the season. It is a safe assumption why the Bears chose to sign him.
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Is Davis a response to unexpected events?
Going into the summer, the feeling was that the Chicago Bears would likely hand their return duties to 3rd round rookie Zavion Thomas. That was something he excelled at for LSU and it’d be a great way to get him some experience since offensive snaps would be limited. That plan may have changed. Thomas reportedly looked great in OTAs and minicamps. It is possible the coaches now feel they may have to widen their offensive plans to include him. This would naturally take away from his ability to be a full-time returner.
In such a situation, it would make sense to seek out some depth at the position. That is where Davis comes in. He could give the Bears an alternative in the return game, allowing Thomas and Kalif Raymond to focus more on their offensive duties. Much depends on how the 27-year-old handles training camp. It could prove difficult. Coach Johnson’s camps are notoriously rigorous. Davis just spent all spring playing actual full-contact games. Is his body up to it? Time will tell.
