Early candidate for Chicago Bears 2025 training camp hero emerges

It happens every year. A Chicago Bears training camp hero emerges from the ashes of the unknown. Usually, it’s a skill player — a wide receiver, running back, or tight end — who becomes the preseason darling, and in the first practice of training camp on Wednesday, an early candidate for 2025 emerged.

Former TCU wide receiver, J.P. Richardson.

Richardson made the play of the day on Day 1, and his underdog, long shot story already has Bears Nation embracing him with open arms.

“Possession slot receiver with good size and an adequate athletic profile,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote of Richardson during the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft. “His father, Bucky Richardson, was a hard-nosed NFL quarterback, and JP shows his competitiveness on the field. He makes crisp route cuts but needs better forward charge in the drive phase to disguise his breaks. He appears to have the route acumen and ball skills to work beyond simple short routes. He’s a capable punt returner, which adds to his value, but Richardson will still need to prove he can uncover against man coverage to make a team.”

Richardson (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) finished the 2024 college football season with 57 catches for 733 yards and two scores with the Horned Frogs after beginning his collegiate career at Oklahoma State. He signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent and has a tough road ahead to make the team.

With D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Devin Duvernay locks to make the final roster, there may be room for only one more receiver on the squad. If Richardson continues to stack good days? Who knows. Maybe that guy will be him. But, again, he’s a long shot.

And that’s the kind of guy Bears fans love at this time of year.

J.P Richardson, Chicago Bears training camp hero? Yep, sounds about right.