Bears Free Agent Profile: Olamide Zaccheaus’ fast start in Chicago fizzled out though one unlikely path to a return still remains

The one-year deal with the veteran wide receiver gave the Chicago Bears exactly what they needed.

Kole Noble — Chicago Bears News Writer
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Nov 28, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates a first down against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the game at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The NFL free agency window is getting closer and closer and the Chicago Bears are set to be an exciting team to watch when the madness begins. Before it gets to that point, the Bears have to first weigh the pros and cons of re-signing the players set to become free agents.

Not every player will be able to return and some are expected to be out of the Bears’ price range entirely. Players who played on one-year rentals are always a fascinating case study because rarely do they stick around after filling the short-term need for a team. Let’s take a look at one of those examples.

Olamide Zaccheaus

Position: WR
Age for 2026 season: 29
Incoming NFL year: 8
Previous AAV: $1,500,000
2025 snap percentage: 53%

Olamide Zaccheaus started his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons after going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. He quickly became solid role player in the passing game playing 10 games as a rookie and continued to establish a role as the “dirty-work” guy. After four seasons in Atlanta, Zaccheaus made his way to Philadelphia where he played all 17 games but was sparsely used in the passing game.

His best production came the following year with the Washington Commanders when he totaled 45 receptions for 506 yards and three touchdowns. Each year of his career up to that point, Zaccheaus averaged 10+ yards per reception and had a strong reputation for being a team-first player.

Those qualities made it an easy decision for Ben Johnson to bring him to Chicago as the team’s WR3 behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. Zaccheaus quickly developed a strong relationship with QB Caleb Williams in the offseason but over time had his role taken over by rookie WR Luther Burden III, who was a luxury pick in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The intention of signing Zaccheaus was to have a hard-working vet in the slot and it started out great. However, drops eventually opened the door for a high-upside Burden to take over and run away with the role after slowing picking up the offense. Now that Burden is established as a long-term starter for this offense, it’s hard to see an avenue for Zaccheaus to return.

Contract History and Projection

Zaccheaus signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Bears and it was the largest AAV of his career. With Chicago, he totaled 39 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns with a career-low 8.0 yards per reception. He also was not a factor on special teams in Chicago like he was on his previous teams. All of which to say, his value took a hit this past season. Here’s some similar deals he should expect this offseason after that kind of year.

  • Paris Campbell – one-year, $1.33 million
  • Zach Pascal – one-year, $1.42 million
  • David Moore – one-year, $1.42 million
  • JuJu Smith-Schuster – one-year, $1.42 million

Clearly, it’s not a great market for veteran WR3 options with little special teams value. Even still, Zaccheaus has a strong reputation and one that shouldn’t be diminished after one season. Teams will still look to take a flyer on this guy because of the work ethic he brings to a locker room, but I don’t see the value reaching higher than $1.5 million per year.

Prediction

I see Zaccheaus signing just above the veteran minimum this offseason on another one-year rental deal for a team in need of veteran help at the position. Unfortunately, I don’t think the Bears fall into that boat anymore with Moore, Odunze, Burden, and Jahdae Walker all being really strong options.

The only way I could see Zaccheaus back in Chicago is if the Bears trade Moore ahead of free agency and plan to move Burden to his role. That would open the slot back up for someone like Zaccheaus, who already knows the offense and has chemistry with Williams. But, even then, I think the Bears would rather draft another talented rookie to develop over time.

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