The Bears might have found their starting kick and punt returner Wednesday when they signed wide receiver Devin Duvernay to a one-year contract.
Duvernay was named a first-team all-pro in 2021, when he was the only player to rank in the top 10 in punt and kick return yard average, and was a Pro Bowl player in 2021 and 2022.
Since 2020, only five players with 20 or more punt returns have averaged more yards per return than Duvernay’s 12. He ranks 15th in kick return yards during that same span among those with 20 or more kick returns.
A former third-round pick out of Texas, Duvernay spent his first four seasons with the Ravens before signing with the Jaguars for 2024.
The 5-11, 202-pounder has 105 career receptions for 977 yards and five touchdowns, though he had only 11 for 79 last year. He’s run 31 times for 222 yards and one touchdown, too. He slots into the Bears’ receiver room behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Olamide Zaccheaus.
