Bears’ Jahdae Walker is everything Ryan Poles should want on his 53-man roster

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a tough 53-man roster decision to make with undrafted rookie wide receiver Jahdae Walker.

The former Texas A&M wideout was an afterthought during the 2025 NFL draft process. Despite possessing an elite combination of size (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) and athletic ability (4.43 40-yard dash), Walker somehow fell through the scouting cracks.

Perhaps it was his lack of production at Texas A&M that had NFL teams concerned. He totaled just 29 catches for 345 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. His best year for the Aggies was in 2023, when he had 35 catches for 590 yards and two scores.

Neither season suggested he was ready for an NFL career, but his 2025 preseason performances told a very different story.

Jahdae Walker has been the Bears’ best WR in 2025 preseason

Jahdae Walker was the Bears’ best wideout this summer, and he put a bow on what was a remarkable stretch of games with the game-winning touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

Walker finished the 2025 preseason with eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, he left an incredible impression on the Chicago Bears’ coaching staff.

“There are certain guys that walk outside for practice and it’s like a kid going to recess,” Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said Monday. “They can’t freaking wait to get rolling, and Jahdae is that way.

“Jahdae loves football. He showed up in that last drive and the play he made on our sideline was one of the better catches that I’ve seen. It was really pretty impressive. But he’s just a guy that has worked every day.”

The Bears have less than 24 hours to submit their final cuts to the league offices. Walker shouldn’t be on that list. Instead, he should be issued a new, wide receiver-worthy number as a member of Chicago’s 53-man roster.

Let’s be honest, if Walker doesn’t make the team, what in the world does a player have to do to make the cut? He’s displayed all of the traits a pro scouting department looks for in a wideout. He’s separated from NFL defensive backs, showcased near-elite body control, and proved to be clutch when it mattered most.

And, again, he’s a really big and really athletic guy who has an unknown amount of upside at this point.

If the Chicago Bears cut Jahdae Walker, they’ll pay for it. He won’t clear waivers; he’s been too impressive this summer. A wide receiver-needy team will claim him. He’s been that impressive.

But don’t worry, Bears fans. You can trust Ryan Poles to make the right call here. And the right call is to keep Walker around for a while.

Sure, Chicago already has DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden as long-term wideouts on the roster. The odds that Walker develops into anything more than a cool story from the 2025 summer aren’t great. But the NFL is full of underdog stories, and I’d love for the Bears to bet on Walker becoming one.

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