Antwaan Randle El Was Reportedly Who Pushed Hard To Sign Kalif Raymond – Here’s Why
Kalif Raymond was signed by the Chicago Bears when free agency began over a week ago. It came as somewhat of a surprise. Most people believed the Bears would either retain Olamide Zaccheaus or add someone in the draft after trading D.J. Moore. Instead, they go with a familiar face for head coach Ben Johnson. He and Raymond worked together for four years in Detroit. Yet it appears he wasn’t the primary force behind the Bears’ decision to sign the veteran receiver. That was Antwaan Randle El.
Chicago’s wide receivers coach has a close relationship with Raymond. He isn’t just a fan of the player but also the person. This will be an invaluable asset to both the wide receiver room and the locker room as a whole. Randle El explained why to Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com.
“When you think about what we look for in players, [Raymond] exemplifies all that,” Randle El told ChicagoBears.com. “We want football players and that’s what he is. He has love for the game, passion for the game, and he’s going to be a great teammate—not only to the wide receiver room but to the players throughout the team.”
“When you’re talking about the on-the-field stuff just in terms of playmaking ability, that shows up all over the tape,” Randle El said. “It always has for him. So that’s a big addition: a guy with speed who understands football—seeing the coverage, knowing the coverage—and the veteran presence that he’ll bring to my room.”
It’s easy to see why coaches love him. Not only is Raymond well-spoken and intelligent, but he’s also unselfish. Not only was he a quality third option at wide receiver in Detroit, but an excellent kick returner on top of that.
Antwaan Randle El knows what Raymond brings.
The Bears really tried to make Zaccheaus work last season, targeting him 65 times. Unfortunately, he suffered persistent drop issues that eventually saw his role diminish. Raymond’s best season came in 2021, when he had 71 targets, totaling 576 yards and 4 touchdowns. Getting that from your projected fourth option behind Colston Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden would be a big win for the Bears. His speed alone offers an added dimension they didn’t really have outside of Burden.
We already know to trust Antwaan Randle El when it comes to receivers. Not only did he have a successful playing career of his own in the NFL, but he was with Detroit when they drafted both Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. If he believes Raymond will add a significant presence to the Bears’ offense, it’s best to take his word for it. They certainly got him at an affordable price. The big question will be how much of a role he plays on offense since he figures to be their primary kick returner.
The Bears probably aren’t done adding.
While Raymond will factor into the plans this year, it may not be for long. He only signed a one-year contract. He also turns 32 years old in August. This is a temporary solution to their depth problem. It would explain why the Bears are rumored to be interested in several possible receivers in the upcoming draft. Selecting one would give them long-term stability at the position. The only question will be what Johnson prioritizes. Speed appears to be the underlying focus of the offseason.
If that focus holds, then names like Brenan Thompson, Zavion Thomas, Deion Burks, and De’Zhaun Stribling are likely to get strong consideration. Much will depend on what Randle El sees in them. His voice certainly carries a lot of weight in that building. Raymond’s arrival is further proof. It’s nice to see the Bears take their coaches’ input seriously. Too many organizations don’t do that.