That sound you hear just might be the literal knocking of opportunity at Kevin White’s front door.
In his first year as the Chicago Bears’ head coach, Matt Nagy has shared optimism and excitement regarding White’s potential and appears to be ready to give him a shot to get his career back on track. In fact, Nagy sees getting the most out of White as a challenge he is ready to embrace in his first season as a head coach. The Bears weren’t counting on White to be a key contributor, but here we are looking at the Bears’ receiving corps walking the tight rope with White currently slotting in as a starting wide receiver after Cameron Meredith’s departure.
The idea of White in a starting role seems wild considering White’s injury history was one of the driving forces behind the Chicago Bears’ offseason overhaul of the wide receiver position in the first place. Free agent additions of Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel will certainly help matters as far as that is concerned. And having pass-catchers at other positions like Tarik Cohen, Trey Burton, and even Adam Shaheen to an extent will definitely provide a boost here and there. Unfortunately, losing Meredith represents something of a setback in the Bears’ grand plan.
Back in Decemeber, we wrote the Bears needed to upgrade the position via the draft, free agency, or otherwise because banking on White to bounce back from another season-ending injury wasn’t the best of ideas. White’s injury-related absence made what was widely regarded as the NFL’s worst receiving corps in 2017 that much more tougher to watch. What White has shown in limited playing time hasn’t inspired much confidence. His 21 receptions, 193 receiving yards, and no touchdowns since being selected with the No. 7 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft aren’t anything to write home about.
And yet, White finds himself right back in the thick of things as of this moment.
White has a new look and has spent some time working out with quarterback Mitch Trubisky while in California. I’m never going to bet against someone with a strong work ethic. But at the same time, I’m not ready to put my eggs in White’s basket either.
Expectations were going to be low for White entering the 2018 season. And unless the Bears come away with some top-tier talent through the draft, a trade, or a surprising free agent signing down the line, all eyes will be on White during OTAs, training camp, and throughout the preseason.