One of the breakout stars of Bears training camp has been second-year receiver Javon Wims, who has already earned himself a roster spot with his impressive performance.
But it was a season ago when Wims arrived as a fresh-faced seventh-round draft pick with no guarantee of success in the NFL.
Wims became the preseason darling that everyone hoped would breakout. But he didn’t see much playing time as a rookie.
The Georgia wideout saw 30 offensive snaps as a rookie, with 21 of those coming in the regular-season finale against the Vikings, where Wims showed the league — and himself — that he could be something special.
“It was good mentally, because I know I can play in the NFL,” Wims said.
That confidence hasn’t gone unnoticed throughout an offseason where he was challenged with roster additions of new receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Riley Ridley.
Wims has taken every opportunity that he’s been dealt to show that, with his athleticism and size, he can be a viable weapon in this Bears offense.
“The biggest thing for Javon is acceptance. He finally understands he can play in this league,” Bears wide receivers coach Mike Furrey said. “He started that towards the end of last year. So he was ready to [get] in the grind to come back, knowing that he can play in the NFL. Now it’s going be knowing that he can be a No. 1, No. 2 guy when he goes in there. It’ll get there. It’s just continuing to grow.”
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