The Bears are bringing back receiver Dante Pettis. They signed him to a one-year deal Monday, the first day of voluntary workouts at Halas Hall.
Pettis had 19 catches for 245 yards — the latter was the third-most among a woeful Bears receiving corps — and two runs for 37 yards. His three receiving touchdowns trailed only tight end Cole Kmet.
Pettis became the team’s primary punt returner after Velus Jones’ early-season struggles; he returned 18 kicks for 163 yards. His longest return was for 27 yards.
Pettis will fight for a job on the back end of the Bears’ receiver unit. They traded for Panthers receiver DJ Moore and anticipate Darnell Mooney to return from a grisly ankle injury. The team hopes Chase Claypool will improve with an offseason under team control. Equanimeous St. Brown re-signed on a one-year deal, and Jones, in his second season, remains an option. The Bears figure to keep five or six receivers on their gameday roster.
Phase 1 of the Bears’ offseason workouts, which began Monday, lasts two weeks and is limited to meetings, rehab and strength and conditioning. Monday also marked the first day at Halas Hall for president/CEO Kevin Warren, the former Big Ten commissioner who was hired in January. He replaces Ted Phillips, who retired after 40 years but remains on the Bears’ board of directors as a senior advisor.
