While the Steelers were struggling to figure out which quarterback should be third on the depth chart, or whether there should even be such a spot on the final roster, the Chicago Bears were getting their last looks at players before their final cuts.
Among players fighting for jobs, former Steeler Santonio Holmes, recently signed to play in Chicago, was one trying to work his way up the Bears' depth chart at wide receiver. The team already has two starters at the position in Brandon Marshall and second-year player Alshon Jeffery, but Holmes made his case to be the third option last night, and it didn't go unnoticed.
In the second quarter, Holmes caught a pass and easily shook off Justin Gilbert, the rookie first-round draft pick, to score a 32-yard touchdown. Holmes still had the quick burst to get up the field and make a play that he had shown both for the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in his career.
"It was a slant route,'' Holmes said. ‘‘I felt the coverage of the defender playing a little bit over top and just made a great play afterwards and finished strong.''
Holmes also was able to show off his skills on a punt return in which he shook two defenders and gained 30 yards for the Bears.
‘‘You see the explosion in him,'' Trestman said. ‘‘He caught a short throw, turned and ran, separated from the defense. That's a good sign.''
While one catch and a punt return does not mean Holmes is as good as he was between 2008-2010, it does make his case for the third receiver spot on Chicago's depth chart. Holmes knows as a veteran receiver with a not-so-good reputation, his time was running out to prove he's still going to be of value to NFL teams. The importance of this chance to prove himself again, wasn't lost on him.
‘‘First, thank God for the opportunity that I'm back playing football again,'' Holmes said. ‘‘[And] Coach Trestman believing in me and Coach [Mike] Groh giving me the opportunity to make this team. The chances were limited, but as a veteran receiver, you go out and make the plays with the opportunities that are put in front of you.''
If Holmes can be an electric player for the Bears out of the slot and take advantage of any coverage that Marshall or Jeffrey attract, he could be in for a few more chances to prove he's still a playmaker in the NFL. And should he prove himself, not only might he be an extra weapon for Jay Cutler and the Bears' offense in their campaign to win the NFC North division, but he'd give himself a chance at signing a solid veteran contract somewhere in the league in 2015.
His current contract with the Bears is for one-year and $855,000, which means he should take this season to either convince the Bears to keep him around after this season, or make himself a more marketable veteran in free agency in 2015 than he was in 2014.