Who would have guessed Kalif Raymond would have been the top wide receiver for the Chicago Bears in their season opener against the Carolina Panthers?
Raymond was targeted nine times and totaled eight receptions for 84 yards, which led the team in receiving. This was Raymond's first game with Chicago, and he was happy to be a part of this historic game where both teams combined for 96 points.
“It was cool to be part of this game with this team, this year, right now,” Raymond said. “It’s the first one. Just happy to be out there with the guys. Happy to finally get to go to battle with them, having been through all of camp and OTAs. It was just good to get out there and grind together.”
Quarterback Caleb Williams spread the ball around with Raymond
getting eight catches, top receiver Rome Odunze having five catches, including one where he mossed the defender, tight end Cole Kmet found the end zone on a dime from Williams and Jahdae Walker even got in the end zone on his only catch of the game.
Chicago’s offense exploded on the air as well as on the ground. The run game had nearly 300 yards with the top rusher being running back D’Andre Swift with 124 yards and three touchdowns; it was his first three-rushing touchdown game of his career. Williams also had the second-highest rushing yards in a game of his career with 65 yards and two rushing touchdowns, his first game with multiple rushing scores.
The Bears will play their next game against the Minnesota Vikings. Raymond was not expected to be someone who would be heavily involved in this game. However, he is now someone Minnesota will need to prepare for defensively. The Vikings are coming off their 17-point win over the Green Bay Packers, but most likely will not have quarterback Kyler Murray available after he sustained a concussion early in the Packers game.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Kalif Raymond reacts to Bears' 59-37 win over the Panthers
