Bears had two underrated offensive contributors in Week 1 who showed just how deep and dangerous this team actually can be
Chicago Bears wide receivers Kalif Raymond and Jahdae Walker played a major role in Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers, proving how this team is much more than the star players that get the headlines.
Heading into the 2026 season, all eyes were on the Chicago Bears’ offensive trio of Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland, and Luther Burden III as the top three weapons in head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
Through one game, the Bears have scored eight offensive touchdowns, and not a single one was credited to one of those three players. Loveland didn’t even have a single reception. That’s not a concern, it just goes to show how deep and dangerous this offense can actually be this season.
Looking at the box score, quarterback Caleb Williams was tremendous and the rushing attack led by D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai was unstoppable. We knew that would be the case. What we didn’t know was how involved two other underrated offensive contributors were going to be right out of the gate.
Jahdae Walker and Kalif Raymond had some of the biggest impacts for the Chicago Bears in Week 1
Let’s start first with former undrafted wide receiver Jahdae Walker, who quietly had one of the best offseasons out of anyone on this entire team. Walker was an overlooked player in this wide receiver room but certainly made an impact on Sunday as a blocker, receiver, and on special teams.
“He practiced his tail off this week,” head coach Ben Johnson said of Walker. “He was one of our more consistent receivers. I thought he he did a heck of a job. To see him get some benefit from it, I think it’s a beautiful thing.”
With Odunze banged up coming into the game, Walker ended up playing 34 offensive snaps. On the stat sheet, he only had one reception on a one-yard touchdown, but he did much more than that. Walker was laying massive blocks all over the field for his teammates, including the “butt-block” on Monangai’s 61-yard touchdown run. His play as a blocker is what made Johnson finally dial up that touchdown as a reward for his efforts.
“There was Jahdae making sure that wasn’t just a big play but a touchdown. That’s a huge play for Kyle. But Jahdae was out there taking guys to make sure it happens,” Kalif Raymond said, who also had a nice block on that run. “That goes from a first down to a touchdown.”
Speaking of Raymond, what a debut the veteran had in his first game as a Chicago Bear. We knew Ben Johnson loved this guy and that he would be heavily involved on offense, but no one expected he’d lead the team in targets (9), receptions (8), and receiving yards (84) in his first game.
Raymond was a reliable safety blanket for Williams and made a huge play on a scramble drill after creating space and sliding to make the catch on third-and-11. After one game, it’s clear he’s going to be a much bigger part of this offense than most realized, and way more efficient than Olamide Zaccheaus was in that role last season.
“It’s really nice to be here,” Raymond said. “Just watching the way these guys work. The game happens however the game happens. But that doesn’t start on Sunday. That starts Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. It starts so much earlier so that when you go into the game, you’re living in your preparation.”
This offense is a lot more than the three star weapons. This is a well-rounded group from top to bottom willing to do whatever it takes to create success. And we didn’t even see rookie speedster Zavion Thomas on the field at all in Week 1. This unit really is going to be scary.
