The Chicago Bears have committed to filling out the depth spots in their wide receiving corps with more experienced hands during the 2025 NFL offseason.
Earlier in NFL free agency, the Bears signed one-year contracts with receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay to add a pair of veterans with more than 100 career catches apiece to the fold to help quarterback Caleb Williams.
Now, they are also bringing in a former Baltimore Ravens third-round pick.
On Thursday afternoon, the Bears announced they signed a one-year contract with former Ravens wide receiver Miles Boykin for the 2025 season, making him their third veteran addition at the position since March 12's start to free agency.
Boykin - a 2019 third-round pick - spent his first three seasons in Baltimore, starting in 24 games and catching 33 passes for 470 yards. He also played 33 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers after they claimed him off the waivers in 2022.
While Boykin did not play in 2024, spending the year on the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad, he could potentially earn his way back onto the field in 2025.
Boykin might have trouble breaking into the receiving rotation behind D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Zaccheaus, Duvernay and whomever else the Bears might add in the NFL draft, but he has played 940 snaps on special teams and could make the roster if he can earn a role on Richard Hightower's unit.
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Even if Boykin falls short, the Bears can count on him as a camp body to push other roster hopefuls, such as Tyler Scott, Collin Johnson and Samori Toure.
The Bears are still looking to replace the value lost in veteran Keenan Allen, who has not yet signed with another team but seems unlikely to return to Chicago.
Their new committee of receivers could accomplish that, especially if Zaccheaus firmly grasps the No. 3 role and finds his footing in Ben Johnson's new offense. The NFL draft, however, might still add to the roster competition.
The Bears have four of the first 72 selections in the draft later this month, which will give them ample opportunity to bolster the position group further. They may even target a new starter who can fit in alongside Moore and Odunze.
For now, Boykin has the potential to contend for a roster spot with the Bears in 2025, but his chances could slim depending on how they attack the draft.
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This story was originally published April 3, 2025 at 6:22 PM.