The Chicago Bears have officially signed DeAndre Carter as a free agent to a one-year contract. Carter, who is a return specialist, is set to compete for a roster spot during training camp. He will be up against Velus Jones and Dante Pettis for the return role at Halas Hall.
During his time with the Las Vegas Raiders last season, Carter accumulated 232 punt return yards and 262 kick return yards in 17 games. Additionally, he caught four passes for 39 yards. This will be Carter’s second time with the Bears, as he appeared in four games with the team in 2020, making four punt returns for 30 yards.
Throughout his career, Carter has maintained an average of 22.4 yards per kick return and has scored one touchdown. The Bears are looking to boost their kick return game, especially after Jones averaged 27.2 yards per return on kickoffs last season. Trent Taylor, who had 23 punt returns for 188 yards, has since signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s worth noting that the Bears did not need to make any corresponding roster moves to make room for Carter on the 90-man roster. The team seems keen on strengthening their special teams unit, and Carter’s signing is a step in that direction.
As the Bears gear up for the upcoming season, having a reliable return specialist like Carter could prove to be a valuable asset. His experience and skills in both punt and kick returns will likely make him a key player to watch during training camp and beyond. Keep an eye on how Carter’s presence impacts the team’s overall performance in the return game as the season progresses.