The Chicago Bears finished the 2024 season ranked fourth in yards per punt return and 11th per kickoff return. This offseason, the Bears added one of the better return specialists over the past few seasons in Devin Duvernay, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bears’ RS Devin Duvernay Draws High Praise
Devin Duvernay Expected to Get Bears Fans on Their Feet
A third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft (No. 92 overall) with $13.9 million in career earnings, Duvernay logged back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022 and All-Pro honors with the first trip.
He signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Bears in free agency this offseason.
“Obviously, he’s a big-play threat. You have a guy that has that kind of speed, that kind of dynamic playmaking ability out in space. He’s a dynamic ball carrier; that’s one of his best traits. He’s strong, he’s quick, he’s fast,” Bears passing game coordinator Press Taylor told Clocker Sports last Thursday. “I think anytime you have that, it’s one of those guys that, when he gets the ball in space, everybody’s probably going to stand up out of their seat. You expect something out of a guy like that, that has that kind of return ability. So it’s really – it’s fun to have that at your disposal.”
Taylor spent the 2024 season with Duvernay in Jacksonville as the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator.
Duvernay notably averaged a career-low 8.8 yards per punt return in 2024.
His 25.1 yards per kick return is his third-best mark. However, the Bears are surely hoping for a return to glory for the former Texas Longhorn. DeAndre Carter was the Bears’ leading return man in 2024, averaging 31.9 yards per kickoff return and 9.3 yards on punt returns.
Devin Duvernay Draws Attention on Offense
For his career, Duvernay has caught 105 passes for 977 yards and 5 touchdowns. He posted an 11-79-0 line in 2024 while seeing his offensive snap share rise from 16% with Baltimore to 24% with Jacksonville, per Pro Football Reference.
He might not see the field often on offense with the Bears either. They already boast DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and added Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency this offseason.
When Duvernay does line up on offense, though, teams have to take notice.
“Somebody like that, that has that reputation as a returner, steps on the field, it’s fun a lot of times to watch defensive players coaches point it out and just have a specific awareness of him,” Taylor told Clocker Sports. “He certainly captures attention. Whether there’s a specific plan for him or not, who knows. That’s kind of game to game, defense to defense. But anytime you have guys like that, it definitely amps up the excitement.”
Duvernay was more heavily involved in the Ravens’ offense, seeing a career-high 69% of their offensive snaps and producing a 37-407-3 line in 2022. He would have been tied with or trailed Moore, Odunze, and Keenan Allen, who remains a free agent, with those numbers.
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is a good bet to find a spot for Duvernay on offense from time to time.