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The Chicago Bears reportedly have a new return specialist, and he comes with some impressive accolades. According to FOX NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears are signing former All-Pro returner Devin Duvernay to a one-year deal. Duvernay spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars after making a name for himself with the Baltimore Ravens.
Duvernay broke into the league with the Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas. He quickly became the team's primary kick returner, scoring a touchdown during his rookie season. From there, Duvernay became one of the best return specialists in the game, leading the league in yards per punt return with 13.8 in 2021 and never finishing with fewer than 11.5 yards per return during his tenure with the Ravens. In fact, his career 12.0 yards per punt return is higher than Hall of Famer Devin Hester (11.7). Duvernay earned All-Pro honors in 2021 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to his returning duties, Duvernay saw time on offense as a wide receiver. In four seasons, Duvernay totaled 94 receptions for 898 yards and five touchdowns with the Ravens. He signed with the Jaguars in 2024, where he saw a dip in his special teams production while playing in 13 games. Duvernay also added 11 receptions for 79 yards for Jacksonville.
Now in Chicago, Duvernay gives the Bears their most dynamic return specialist since Tarik Cohen and Jakeem Grant in the late 2010s and early 2020s. He's still just 27 years old and provides plenty of speed at both kick and punt return positions while adding depth to the wide receiver position. If Duvernay can bounce back and look like he did during his days in Baltimore, the Bears could have a dynamic weapon at their disposal for the 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Report: Bears to sign former All-Pro returner Devin Duvernay
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Duvernay broke into the league with the Ravens in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Texas. He quickly became the team's primary kick returner, scoring a touchdown during his rookie season. From there, Duvernay became one of the best return specialists in the game, leading the league in yards per punt return with 13.8 in 2021 and never finishing with fewer than 11.5 yards per return during his tenure with the Ravens. In fact, his career 12.0 yards per punt return is higher than Hall of Famer Devin Hester (11.7). Duvernay earned All-Pro honors in 2021 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to his returning duties, Duvernay saw time on offense as a wide receiver. In four seasons, Duvernay totaled 94 receptions for 898 yards and five touchdowns with the Ravens. He signed with the Jaguars in 2024, where he saw a dip in his special teams production while playing in 13 games. Duvernay also added 11 receptions for 79 yards for Jacksonville.
Now in Chicago, Duvernay gives the Bears their most dynamic return specialist since Tarik Cohen and Jakeem Grant in the late 2010s and early 2020s. He's still just 27 years old and provides plenty of speed at both kick and punt return positions while adding depth to the wide receiver position. If Duvernay can bounce back and look like he did during his days in Baltimore, the Bears could have a dynamic weapon at their disposal for the 2025 season.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Report: Bears to sign former All-Pro returner Devin Duvernay
Continue reading...
