Ted Ginn Jr. has had quite the journey as far as NFL career’s go. Once seen as a draft bust, he’s maybe fell short of being the true game-breaker some envisioned him as. But he’s been steady over 13 years in the league.
And he looks to continue that trend in Chicago, where he’s reportedly agreed to a contract with the Bears.
The #Bears have agreed to terms on a 1-year deal with veteran WR Ted Ginn Jr, source said. Chicago has been searching for a speed WR, now they have one.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2020
Ginn was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Miami envisioned him as a Swiss Army knife of sorts, capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, either as a kick/punt returner or as a wide receiver.
He had 56 catches in the second year as a pro, which still stands as a career high. But he fell short of expectations in Miami and fell out of favor with the coaching staff.
After three years with the Dolphins, Ginn moved on to the 49ers, where he was used almost exclusively as a returner. In three years in San Francisco, Ginn only had 33 catches.
It looked like he may be on his way out of the league at that point.
But he followed that up with a year in Carolina where he hauled in 36 catches.
After a brief and somewhat disappointing stop in Arizona for the 2014 season, Ginn went back to the Panthers for two more years, then signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2017, where he’s played since. Or at least up until now.
Injuries kept Ginn out for most of the 2018 season, in which he only played in five games. But in New Orleans, he established himself as a consistent and reliable number-two or three receiver.
A trend the Bears hope continues.
Chicago also selected speedy Tulane wide receiver Darnell Mooney in the third round of this year’s NFL draft.
