The Chicago Bears added more speed to their offense with the signing of veteran receiver Ted Ginn Jr., who signed a one-year deal with the team on Thursday.
Ginn has made a name for himself for being a speedster in his 13-year career, and even at 35 years old, he’s still capable of being a playmaker — whether that’s on offense or special teams. Which is exactly what the Bears are hoping for.
Let’s get to know the newest Bears receiver/return specialist:
1. Ginn might be a 13-year veteran, but he’s still got it
Make no mistake, despite entering his 14th season, Ginn’s still got it at 35 years old. After the Saints signed Emmanuel Sanders in free agency, Ginn tested the free-agency waters and settled on a one-year deal with the Bears.
Ginn has made it clear that he has no intention of retiring, saying: “I’ve still got a few years left in me.” Now, he’ll get a chance to shine in a new home on an offense desperate for speed, which he’s got plenty of.
2. Ginn ranks 25th in NFL history in all-purpose yards
During a 13-year career, Ginn has racked up plenty of game action — along with plenty of yards on offense and special teams between five teams. Ginn ranks 25th in NFL history with 15,685 all-purpose yards — which includes 5,702 receiving yards 9,983 kickoff and punt return yards. He’s also added 42 touchdowns. The Bears added someone that knows how to rack up yards when the ball is in his hands, and that can only help Chicago’s struggling offense, which was among the worst last season.
3. Ginn brings even more speed to Chicago’s offense
The one thing that was missing from the Bears offense last season — aside from balance and overall production — was speed. Receiver Taylor Gabriel, who brought the speed in the receivers room, spent most of the season on the injured list, which certainly took away Chicago’s ability to stretch the field.
Now, the Bears have prioritized adding speed to their offense — including fifth-round draft pick Darnell Mooney, free-agent acquisition Trevor Davis and Ginn, who is the fastest of them all.
Take a look at these 40 times from the three receivers Chicago has added over the last week.
4. Ginn’s best season came in 2015 with the Panthers
Ginn has plenty of NFL experience — and plenty of success. But his best season came in 2015 with the Carolina Panthers, which was the year they made it to Super Bowl 50, where they ultimately lost to the Denver Broncos. Ginn tallied 44 catches for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns in 15 games with the Panthers in 2015.
Ginn’s production has certainly dipped over the years, but that’s had to do more with a knee injury he suffered in 2018. We’ll see if he can overcome that and contribute those highlight-reel plays for this Bears offense.
5. Ginn once beat Usain Bolt in a track meet
Ginn might be fast — he ran a 4.28 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine — but he’s not Usain Bolt fast, right? Believe it or not, Ginn once beat the Olympic champion in a high school track meet. Ginn was a national champion in the 110-meter hurdles, including part of a 4x 100-meter relay team that, in his senior year, beat a team led by Bolt. There aren’t many people that can say that they beat the fastest man in the world, but Ginn is one of them.
