The Bears re-signed wide receiver Dante Pettis to a one-year deal Monday, the first day of voluntary workouts at Halas Hall.
Pettis had 19 catches for 245 yards — the latter was the third-most among a woeful Bears receiving corps — and two runs for 37 yards in 2022, his only season with the Bears. His three receiving touchdowns trailed only tight end Cole Kmet for the team lead.
Pettis became the team’s primary punt returner after Velus Jones’ early-season struggles. He returned 18 punts for 163 yards, the longest for 27.
Pettis will fight for a job on the back end of the Bears’ receivers unit. They traded for the Panthers’ DJ Moore and anticipate Darnell Mooney to return from a grisly ankle injury. The team hopes Chase Claypool will improve with an offseason under team control. Equanimeous St. Brown re-signed on a one-year deal, and Jones, in his second season, remains an option. The Bears figure to keep five or six receivers on their game-day roster.
The Bears also retained nose tackle Andrew Brown, an exclusive-rights free agent. The 27-year-old played five games for them last season.
Phase 1 of the Bears’ offseason workouts lasts two weeks and is limited to meetings, rehab and strength and conditioning.
Monday also was the first day at Halas Hall for Kevin Warren, the former Big Ten commissioner who was named president/CEO in January.
He replaces Ted Phillips, who retired after 40 years but remains on the Bears’ board of directors as a senior adviser.
