The Bears have signed veteran wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III, the team announced on Monday. As a corresponding move, they have waived undrafted rookie wide receiver Kyron Hudson with an injury designation.
McCloud, who turns 30 in October, is entering his ninth season in the NFL. He’s played in 100 games across stints with six teams, typically serving as a backup wide receiver and a primary return specialist. He most notably led the NFL with 367 punt return yards as a member of the Steelers in 2021.
As a receiver, his most productive year came in 2024, during which he 62 catches for 686 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons.
In said 2024 season, McCloud ranked No. 68 among 90 qualified wide receivers in PFN WR Impact Scoring. His time in Atlanta came to a bizarre end, as he was sent home midway through the 2025 season for an “excused absence” before he was outright released late in October. He signed with the Giants’ practice squad soon after and made appearances in two regular season games.
At 5’9” and 190 pounds, McCloud began his NFL career playing primarily in the slot. However, in each of his last four seasons, he’s taken a higher percentage of his offensive snaps out wide. His signing comes in the wake of Hudson suffering an injury that saw him taken out of Saturday’s practice. Starting wideout Luther Burden III also suffered a groin injury on that day of practice, though he’s anticipated to return to the Bears for their regular season opener against the Panthers.
