Recently departed Vikings receiver lands with new team in NFC North

Let go by the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette was claimed by the Chicago Bears on Thursday.

Following their acquisition of wide receiver Jalen Reagor from the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings made a corresponding move that surprised a few people when they parted ways with Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Some felt that Smith-Marsette had performed well enough this summer to earn a spot on Minnesota’s regular-season roster. But apparently, the Vikings felt otherwise.

The second-year receiver won’t be ending up back on Minnesota’s practice squad this year though as the Chicago Bears reportedly claimed him on waivers on Thursday according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Chicago Bears claim former Minnesota Vikings WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

Selected by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Smith-Marsette didn’t do a whole lot during his rookie season last year. He appeared in eight games, and he was only able to accumulate five catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns.

During the preseason this summer, Smith-Marsette showed that he had made some significant strides in his development. In Minnesota’s three exhibition matchups, the young receiver led the team in catches (10) and receiving yards (121). Smith-Marsette also returned five punts this summer with an average of eight yards per return.

But the Vikings felt he wasn’t worth keeping around after they acquired Reagor on Wednesday. So now, Smith-Marsette will continue his NFL career as a member of the Bears.

Following his departure, Minnesota has waived seven of their 11 selections in the 2021 NFL Draft this week. The Vikings’ new regime clearly wasn’t impressed with the choices made by the previous regime in last year’s draft.

Since Chicago is a divisional opponent, Smith-Marsette will get two opportunities this season to prove to Minnesota that they made a mistake by letting him go. His first chance will take place in Week 5 when the Vikings host the Bears inside U.S. Bank Stadium.