Kalif Raymond is becoming much more than Bears expected

Bears keep finding uses for Raymond

Ben Johnson didn't need another receiver who required the offense to revolve around him. Instead, it needed a veteran who could produce when defenses concentrated on Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland.

Raymond fits that job description.

Against Philadelphia, he became Keenum's most productive receiver by yardage.

Burden led Chicago in targets and catches. Odunze remained involved, though he had a brutal drop in the end zone.

And it was Raymond who supplied the biggest receiving play of the night.

Ben Johnson already knew what Kalif Raymond could do

There was always a reason Raymond made sense in Chicago. Johnson knew him from Detroit. He understood Raymond's versatility, professionalism, and ability to contribute without requiring a featured role.

What the Bears are getting now might be even more useful. He's actually becoming a problem for defenses.

(Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Bears' receiving hierarchy doesn't need to be rigid

Burden can still be Chicago's No. 1 receiver. Odunze can continue emerging. Loveland can grow into a larger role.

None of those things require Raymond to disappear.

The best offenses aren't built around making sure targets follow a predetermined hierarchy. They're built around finding the player who can take advantage of a hole in the defense. Through three weeks, that player has been Raymond, who leads the Bears with 19 catches, 214 yards, and a touchdown.