Bears’ Training Camp Darling Will Likely Receive Unfortunate News

As training camp marches on at Halas Hall, undrafted rookie wide receiver JP Richardson has become one of the most talked-about surprises on the Chicago Bears’ roster. A product of TCU by way of Oklahoma State, Richardson wasted no time putting himself on the radar. On Day 1 of camp, he hauled in a spectacular one-handed diving grab down the right sideline, immediately drawing buzz and praise from coaches and teammates alike.

Since then, Richardson has consistently stood out with his quick feet, sharp routes, and playmaking ability, proving he belongs on an NFL field. Yet, despite the early fireworks and a work ethic that jumps off the tape and onto the practice field, Richardson’s chances of making the 53-man roster remain extremely slim, and not because of anything he’s done wrong. Rather, it’s because of how stacked and competitive Chicago’s wide receiver room is expected to be in 2025.

“I’ve got to finish strong and really get after it every single day, maybe even crank it up a couple notches because it’s not going to be easy to make this team,” Richardson said.

And he’s absolutely right.

A Crowded WR Room Leaves Little Wiggle Room

Richardson entered camp knowing the hill was steep. The Bears already have a deep and talented wide receiver corps, including DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay, and Tyler Scott.

And it’s not just the fact that the Bears have one of the best wide receiver rooms on paper in the NFL, it’s also the fact that head coach Ben Johnson doesn’t typically carry a lot of wide receivers on his roster. In 2022 and 2023, the Detroit Lions only carried five wide receivers, and in 2024, just four active WRs on the roster.

That’s already making it hard for someone like Scott to make the roster, so imagine the road Richardson has to take to earn a spot on the Bears’ roster.

“I’m well aware of that,” Richardson said. “But I feel like I’m attacking every day with the mindset of ‘I’m good enough to be on this team and I would die to be on this team.'”

Richardson may need to continue to shine on special teams to have any shot. At TCU, he was named an honorable mention All-Big 12 in that phase of the game, ranking 11th in the nation with 252 punt return yards. That versatility could serve as his lifeline.

“If you need me to run down on kickoff and go hit somebody in the mouth, I’ll gladly do that,” Richardson said. “If you want me to return punts, return kicks, be on the front line, play gunner, whatever it is, I feel like I have the skillset and the toughness and the mentality to go make a play on teams.”

It’s hard not to root for Richardson. He’s driven, tough, and has a team-first mindset. But even that may not be enough to vault him past the other wideouts who each bring a unique skill, experience, or draft pedigree to the table.

What Comes Next for JP Richardson

No matter how the depth chart shakes out, Richardson has already turned heads and made a strong case for himself. If the Bears decide they can’t fit him on the 53-man roster, he’ll be a prime candidate for the practice squad, or another team could scoop him up. Either way, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him on an NFL field this year in some capacity.

And despite being overlooked during the NFL draft, Richardson hasn’t let that define him. Instead, it’s been fuel.

“I feel like I was the best slot receiver in the country this past season,” he said. “I guess it’s easy to overlook a guy that looks like me…But I think when you turn the tape on, it might surprise some people.”

So far in camp, that’s exactly what he’s done: surprised people. Whether it’s enough to crack the final roster is unclear. But one thing is certain: JP Richardson has proven he belongs in the league. Whether it’s with the Bears or elsewhere, he’s not done making plays.