The Bears made big plans at wide receiver over the offseason, and 31-year-old journeyman DeAndre Carter wasn’t part of their blueprint.
He was unlikely to play anything but special teams given that the power trio of a borderline Hall of Famer in Keenan Allen, perennial Pro Bowl candidate DJ Moore and No. 9 pick Rome Odunze. Tyler Scott and maybe even Velus Jones were more likely to get snaps than Carter.
But plans change, and when they did, Carter was ready like always. His roles on offense and special teams expanded quickly because of injuries to each of the Bears’ top three receivers and the team running out of patience with Jones as a returner.
“I just make sure I know all the spots and am able to be plugged in wherever we need it,” he told the Sun-Times. “My main job in my career has been as a returner, so you kind of get put into a box. But the times in my career where I’ve had to play receiver, I’ve been productive and made plays.
“In my mind, I’m definitely a receiver first. That’s what I’d been my whole life. Being able to go out and show that is pretty cool.”
In addition to being a punt and kick returner, Carter is third on the team with 38 yards on four catches over the first two games and has played half the offensive snaps. Caleb Williams has targeted him six times — same as tight end Cole Kmet and running back D’Andre Swift.
He has made that contribution despite getting few, if any, reps with Williams and the first-team offense in training camp.
The Bears are Carter’s 10th team since making it to the NFL as an undrafted wide receiver from Sacramento State in 2015, and he also was with them for two months in 2020. He has been productive, though, beyond special teams. Just two seasons ago, he caught 46 passes for 538 yards and three touchdowns with the Chargers.