Antwaan

Randle El

The Bears are moving swiftly. Schefter breaks the Randle El news, roughly 30 minutes after reportedly hiring former Cowboys assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris as pass game coordinator. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is smartly putting up-and-coming coaches in leadership positions, making good on his promise to revamp the Bears’ system.

Randle El started his coaching career with the Buccaneers in 2019 when they hired him as an offensive assistant. He was hired as the Lions’ wide receiver coach in 2021 and has remained in the role ever since. Given his lack of play-calling experience and short time as a coach, Randle El feels like a long-shot to land the offensive coordinator gig, but he’s not the only coach without play-calling experience to get an interview from the Bucs this coaching cycle.

Randle El is specifically seeking a “playmaker.” First off: Same. Secondly, Randle El is just stating the obvious for what was one of the thinnest receiver corps in NFL history before fourth-round rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown went off down the stretch, but it is always notable when teams admit their weaknesses publicly. It’s a relatively deep receiver draft class, and a strong free agent group, though one that will be thinned by franchise tags and new contracts. The Lions essentially have no choice but to heed Randle El’s call and beef up at wideout.

The longtime Steelers and Washington receiver/return man joined coach Bruce Arians’ staff two years ago. In the past, Randle El had complained of memory issues and said he wished he never played football, but that was half a decade ago. He is clearly doing better. Randle El’s versatility should make him an excellent teacher and sounding board.

Randle El didn’t pracitve yesterday, but he could play in the preseason finale.

His emergence at the end of the season gives Pittsburgh another consistent option in the passing game.

There’s a great chance that happens with Plaxico Burress likely headed out of town. Randle-El caught 20 passes for 349 yards in his five starts this season, averaging 17.5 yards-per-catch. He can be a solid fantasy reserve at worst.

He currently returns kickoffs and punts, but Ricardo Colclaugh may grab one or two of those spots. In theory, the move would allowd Randle El to concentrate on being a wide receiver. He still has no fantasy value this season.

It appears Randle El has a slight edge on WR Cedrick Wilson for the starting role. ''It means you’re there for now, and you got to keep it,’' Randle El said of the starting position.

Cedrick Wilson has enjoyed a nice camp, but he’ll almost certainly be the number three receiver. Randle El is a fine fourth receiver option in fantasy leagues who is surprisingly getting undervalued in most drafts.