Kevin White has spent a majority of his NFL career watching from the sideline, but new Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is still optimistic about the young receiver.
According to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune, Nagy said White has time to become the player Chicago expects him to be.
“Forget about the whys of what happened. What matters is about right now. He’s young. He has a big ceiling. … As coaches (we) try to pull it out of him, but he’s got to work hard. He’s got to put time in the playbook. He’s got to put in the extra work after practice when he can. And then when the game comes, he’s got to make plays.”
The No. 7 overall pick of the 2015 NFL draft, White has appeared in just five games through three injury-affected seasons. He managed 19 catches for 187 yards in 2016 before logging two receptions and six yards in one appearance last year.
At this point, the West Virginia product is as close as possible to the “bust” label without officially being one.
So, while this offseason absolutely provides time for White to learn a new system and finally establish himself in the lineup, the 2018 campaign is certainly his last chance with the Bears.
Nagy’s patience and clean slate for his new players is important, but it has an expiration date. White must be productive before then.