Wish for returner Grant-ed
Bears trade 2023 draft choice to Dolphins for WR/KR Grant
The Miami Dolphins traded wide receiver and returner Jakeem Grant to the Bears on Tuesday.
Grant is going to the Bears in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft, according to a person who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade terms had not been announced.
Grant had primarily been a returner for the Dolphins this season, with only two catches for minus-7 yards in the season’s first four games.
He returned eight punts for 59 yards and two kickoffs for 46 yards so far this season. But in Sunday’s loss to Indianapolis, he muffed a punt for a turnover deep in Miami territory and the Colts turned that extended possession into a field goal for a 17-3 lead.
Indianapolis went on to win 27-17.
“I think we are still evaluating all positions, to include the returner position,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said Monday. “Obviously Jakeem struggled a bit . ... He’s been very productive for a number of years but struggled a bit (Sunday). We’ll take a look at that position, like we will for all positions, and do what we feel is best for the team.”
The trade gives Miami the chance to make rookie Jaylen Waddle the primary returner.
Grant was a sixth-round pick in 2016 for Miami. He made 91 catches for 1,001 yards in parts of six seasons with the team, with five touchdowns. He also had five return touchdowns for Miami — three punts, two kickoffs — and a rushing score.
Chicago cleared a roster spot for Grant by waiving receiver-returner Nsimba Webster, who was averaging 3.3 yards on four punt returns for the Bears this season.