New Bears receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette believes that coming to Chicago was “meant to be.” After all, he had his best game as a rookie against the Bears in last year’s season finale, where he totaled three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Considering there are no proven commodities behind WR1 Darnell Mooney, Smith-Marsette has an opportunity to compete for a significant role this season and beyond.
“I feel like I’ve got an opportunity to make an impact anywhere I go,” Smith-Marsette said, via ChicagoBears.com. “That’s just the type of player I am. That’s my mindset. I feel like I can make a play on any team in this league. I feel like I can play in this league, and I feel like I belong in this league. So anywhere I would’ve went, I would’ve made a tremendous impact.”
But Smith-Marsette is going to have to build his rapport with quarterback Justin Fields on the fly, as he just joined the team last week.
Smith-Marsette hasn’t known Fields long, but he believes his and Fields’ skillsets can complement each other. Smith-Marsette said he can be a reliable target for Fields, who “can keep a play going and find me late.”
But Smith-Marsette’s contributions can extend beyond offense. Head coach Matt Eberflus sees Smith-Marsette’s versatility as a huge plus, where he can be a factor both on offense and special teams.
“On special teams, I think you look at the whole gamut of it,” Eberflus said. “Can he help you on cover teams, can he help you on returns, can he help you at well, obviously, receiver? So, you look at it all.”
