To open up the NFL’s legal tampering window on Monday, the Chicago Bears saw veteran wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus leave the Windy City and rejoin the Atlanta Falcons, [per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network](https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/2031038661647605947?s=20).
Losing Zacchaeus wasn’t ideal, considering that the Bears had traded D.J. Moore. But Chicago did not panic, [as they found a terrific replacement in Kalif Raymond](https://dawindycity.com/bears-stomp-out-jahdae-walker-s-new-hopes-in-less-than-24-hours-01kkc90qds1w), who could fill in as a WR3 and contribute on special teams. Raymond’s signing immediately put Devin Duvernay’s future in Chicago into question.
Duvernay, who is also an unrestricted free agent, played well on special teams for the Bears. He averaged 26.7 yards per kick return and 11 yards per punt return in 2025. However, there’s little need for him now with Raymond in the fold.
Over his nine-year career, Raymond has averaged 10.4 yards per punt return, along with 21.6 yards per kick return. The veteran receiver also has two All-Pro nods on his resume and was coached by Ben Johnson and Antwaan Randle-El in Chicago.
That said, new Falcons GM Ian Cunningham could use Duvernay’s skillset on special teams, and shouldn’t hesitate to sign him in the coming days.
Falcons Could Suddenly Be Circling Another Bears Free Agent
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If it wasn’t enough to see Cunningham stealing Zacchaeus from the Bears and GM Ryan Poles, he has a clear path to take Duvernay and upgrade a much-maligned Falcons’ special teams unit that was terrible in punt and kick returns.
This past season, the Falcons were ranked dead last in kick return yards per game (22.8) and had the sixth-fewest punt return yards per game (7.0). Jamal Agnew was Atlanta’s main return specialist.
The 30-year-old Agnew recorded 7.6 yards per punt return and 24.7 yards per kick return. Both of those numbers are lower than what Duvernay put together in his lone season with the Bears.
Therefore, Cunningham should be trying his best to make sure no other team snatches up the ex-Bears return specialist. In fact, Duvernay played an instrumental part in the Bears' ranking inside the top-5 in average starting field position this past season, beginning at their own 32.2.
Meanwhile, the Falcons ranked 21st in average starting field position at their own 30.2. While it's only a two-yard discrepancy, it could make the difference between scoring a touchdown or field goal or having to punt the ball.
The Bears will hope that Raymond can build on what Duvernay did in 2025, while Duvernay will hope to find his next opportunity, potentially joining Zaccheaus in Atlanta.
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