The Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp kicks off on Friday, and even after drafting a pair of wide receiver prospects in April’s NFL Draft, the team will have another pass-catching prospect to keep tabs on this weekend:
God is good! Thankful for an opportunity to tryout for the Bears!
— Matt VandeBerg (@VandeBerg89) May 8, 2018
Iowa’s Matt VandeBerg tweets he will participate in the Bears’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. His best season with the Hawkeyes came in 2015 when he caught 65 passes for 703 yards and four touchdowns. VandeBerg’s numbers took a hit over his final two seasons on campus, catching 47 passes for 668 yards and five touchdowns. However, it’s worth noting those stats include an injury-shortened 2016 season in which he hauled in 19 passes for 284 yards and three scores. VandeBerg also has some special teams experience with 26 punt returns and 157 yards, and that can always be useful.
VandeBerg will join fellow rookie wide receivers Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, and Garrett Johnson. Miller and Wims were drafted by the Bears, while Johnson was one of the undrafted free agents who reportedly signed with the Bears after the draft. Wide receiver is a vastly overhauled position under first-year head coach Matt Nagy and position coach Mike Furrey. With all the new faces in camp, this will undoubtedly be a position we’ll need to keep our eyes on this spring and summer.
While the minicamp will feature each of the Bears’ seven draft picks and their undrafted free agent additions, the team hasn’t officially listed their list of UDFA participants who will be at the rookie minicamp. I’m sure the rest of the group will be shared when festivities get underway on Friday.