2025 NFL free agency: Devin Duvernay to sign 1-year contract with Chicago Bears

Former NFL All-Pro Devin Duvernay is set to sign a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears, FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported. He spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars before entering free agency.

Prior to his time in Jacksonville, Duvernay spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He made two Pro Bowls and was a First Team All-Pro selection as a return specialist in 2021. That year, he led the league with 13.8 yards per punt return while totaling 360 yards on 26 returns. In fact, he has averaged better than 11.5 yards per punt return four out of his five years in the league.

Duvernay earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2022 when he took one kickoff back for a 103-yard touchdown while recording 383 return yards. He was also part of the passing game, hauling in 37 receptions for 403 yards and three touchdowns.

This past season with the Jaguars, Duvernay appeared in 13 games after signing a two-year contract. Jacksonville released him this offseason amid a total roster overhaul under new general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen.

Before his arrival in the NFL, Devin Duvernay was a first team All-Big 12 selection at Texas. He had a huge senior season in Austin, leading the conference with 106 receptions and 1,386 yards while hauling in nine touchdown receptions.

Chicago is in the midst of a major transformation under new head coach Ben Johnson. The Bears overhauled their offensive line for 2025 in free agency, signing center Drew Dalman after trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney. They will now be tasked with protecting Caleb Williams, who took a record amount of sacks as a rookie in 2024.

The Bears have also been looking for speed on the outside, as well. They had Mecole Hardman and Rondale Moore in for visits after signing Olamide Zaccheaus, who could step in as a WR3 and possibly line up in the slot.

Chicago also has the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and there continue to be various opinions about what the team will do with the selection. Offensive line could be an option, and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah projected the Bears to select LSU’s Will Campbell. However, running back Ashton Jeanty could be an intriguing choice if he’s available considering Johnson’s success with two backs in Detroit.

Defensive line could also be addressed, even after signing Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projected the Bears to take former Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams in his latest Mock Draft.