From workout to contract: Bears sign WR Dante Pettis

The Chicago Bears have been busy today. In addition to signing quarterback Nathan Peterman and wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, general manager Ryan Poles inked what may be one of the team’s most interesting free-agent signings so far: wide receiver Dante Pettis.

Pettis worked out of the Bears on Wednesday and it appeared his opportunity was lost after Chicago signed Sharpe to a one-year deal. But Poles clearly isn’t done leveling up the wide receiver room, and Pettis is more than just an afterthought signing.

Dante Pettis signs in Chicago…. Another #Bears WR added. https://t.co/pFMQYOFPXP

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 12, 2022

The former 2018 second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers flashed big-play ability during his rookie season but fell out of favor with coach Kyle Shanahan. In fact, it got so bad so quickly that the 49ers cut Pettis in November 2020. He was claimed by the New York Giants one day later.

Dante Pettis facing a make-or-break opportunity with Bears

“Every coach has their own things, what they like, what they don’t like,” Pettis said after he was released. “At the end of the day, I didn’t do what I was supposed to do. We had some disagreements. I thought we were in a better place the third year, we had some guys playing well, so they went with them. That was my opportunity. I have nothing against them, they have nothing against me whatever, it didn’t work out. Every single player goes through it.”

Pettis’ second chance didn’t go so well, either. His tenure with the Giants was forgettable: five games, 14 catches, two touchdowns.

None of that matters now. Pettis, 26, represents another wide receiver with a chip on his shoulder and the necessary talent to prove he belongs. He was the 44th overall pick in 2018, after all. Remember all those cries for the Bears to draft a wide receiver at No. 39 or 48? Yeah, Pettis was that guy just a few years ago, and he’s young enough to rewrite his career narrative.

Here’s what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote about Pettis during the 2018 draft:

“Solid secondary receiving option who has spent time on his craft and has the ability to attack and uncover on all three levels. Pettis lacks physicality and could struggle to handle in-your-face press corners, so he may see snaps from the slot. While his punt return talent solidifies his draft standing, his ability as route-runner combined with his smooth pass-catching should give him a long, solid career.”

Pettis joins a wide receiver room that includes Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, rookie Velus Jones Jr., Tajae Sharpe, and Equanimeous St. Brown as the top five on the depth chart. David Moore and Dazz Newsome are also factors to consider.