The Chicago Bears released veteran WR Ted Ginn Jr. after Tuesday’s trade deadline.
At 35, Ginn is in his 14th NFL season and saw limited playing time with the team this season.
1 Year Contract
In May, the Bears signed Ginn to a 1 year $1.1 million contract.
His playing time was diminished as early as Week 2, but Coach Nagy was optimistic to get him involved in the offense in subsequent weeks.
“Ted Ginn has been really, really good for us in a lot of different ways and he’s going to become an important part of this team as we go, and it’s nothing other than just probably numbers and where we were at personnel-wise today.”
Following punt returner Tarik Cohen‘s season-ending ACL injury, Ginn began fielding punts for the Bears.
When he averaged less than 5 yards per punt, the Bears looked for other punt return help.
Dwayne Harris catches and returns his first punt in a #Bears uniform for 12 yards. An infinite improvement over Ted Ginn Jr.
— Mike Berman (@MikeBermanNBC) November 1, 2020
Rookie WR Darnell Mooney‘s surprising performance limited Ginn’s offensive playing time to just 18 snaps since September.
Ginn Played On Many NFL Teams
Teddy Bridgewater airs it out to Ted Ginn Jr. on this 33-yd TD 💪#TBvsNO pic.twitter.com/zTPGyD0eUe
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) October 6, 2019
Ginn played college ball at Ohio State and his speed enabled scouts to overlook his height.
He is 5’11” tall, short by NFL standards.
The Miami Dolphins drafted Ginn in the 1st round (9th pick overall) in the 2007 draft.
During his 14 years, he played for the Dolphins, 49ers, Cardinals, Panthers (two stints), and the Saints before landing in Chicago this year.
He was a member of the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers team that played in the Super Bowl in 2015.
Drew Brees on Ted Ginn
Drew Brees uncorks one for the 80-yard TD pass to Ted Ginn Jr.! #CARvsNO pic.twitter.com/BQmDSuiImQ
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) January 7, 2018
Ginn played for the Saints from 2017-2019.
During that time, he and Brees connected for exciting plays.
Brees spoke about what an asset Ginn was in 2017.
“Ted’s been awesome. Ted has been better than I ever could have expected. He’s a real pro. He’s a savvy veteran guy. He’s been around a long time, played in a lot of different systems, for a couple different teams. So I feel like just his knowledge of the game and his awareness and his instincts and just his presence on the field, he’s a real pro, and I love having him in the huddle. …He’s got a swagger to him. He’s got a lot of confidence. (And) I think he’s a good influence on the youth we have at the receiver position.”
Ted Ginn on Cam Newton
Ginn praised Newton during the 2015 Panthers’ championship season.
“I give all my success to Cam Newton. Without him, there is no Ted Ginn. I can’t say that vice versa. But we really, really have a nice thing going right now.”
If the Bears’ release is the final chapter in Ted Ginn Jr.’s career, it has been a storied one.
He scored over 40 career TDs with a combination as a receiver, special teams player, and even as a rusher.
NEXT: Bears Coach Matt Nagy Calls Out QB Nick Foles
