NEWSLETTER
The third preseason week brings us the Chicago Bears’ fourth preseason game. And for wide receiver Kevin White, it sets the stage for a player to make a big splash at a most opportune time.
Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets that White played 43 snaps against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, which was the third most on the team. That probably isn’t a coincidence, seeing that the White has played just 238 regular season snaps since being drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. And with the all-important Preseason Week 3 showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs on deck, White figures to get an extended look at a critical time for him (and his team):
Nagy on WR Kevin White's expanded playing time: "We have to see what he can do. Can this guy help us out when it matters most?"
— Larry Mayer (@LarryMayer) August 20, 2018
Whether or not White can help when it matters most remains to be seen, but judging by the words coming from Head Coach Matt Nagy, it sounds like we’re going to get an answer sooner, rather than later.
White was targeted four times, caught two passes, and gained 15 yards against the Broncos over the weekend. Those numbers don’t provide much to hold onto, but White also drew a pass interference late in the first quarter that helped the Bears gain 37 yards. That 3rd-and-15 play helped change the tide for the Bears’ first-team offense, which found the end zone on Trey Burton’s touchdown catch. It was the first unit’s first offensive touchdown of the preseason and White made a play on the drive. Sure, it’s fair to say it wasn’t much. But let’s not lose sight of the mere contribution from a player who hasn’t brought much to the table since his arrival on draft day in 2015. If White can simply be a vertical threat who can make plays of 50/50 balls and keep a defense honest, the Bears could find some value in his presence (given he stays healthy, of course).
To his credit, White has put in the necessary work to get to this point healthy and in a position to where the team is willing to put him in a position to show what is left in the tank. White worked out with Mitch Trubisky in California during the spring, showed that he re-captured the element of speed during OTAs, and seemed to be responding well to having a clean slate during training camp. It has all come together to bring us to a moment where the Bears are set to see what they have in White, a player who has received nothing but positive reinforcement throughout the offseason.
Now, let’s see what he can do.
