If Breshad Perriman compiled receiving yards at the same rate as the miles he's traveled chasing his dream, he'd be a perennial Pro Bowler.
In signing with the Bears Monday, the speedy receiver joined his seventh different NFL team in four seasons. Released by the Ravens in September 2018 after three years in Baltimore, Perriman has since been with Washington (2018) and the Browns (2018), Buccaneers (2019), Jets (2020) and Lions (2021).
Perriman was candid when asked Wednesday to identify the aspect of his game he needs to improve to stabilize his career.
"I think I just need to go out there [and] just be more consistent," Perriman said, "every time the ball is in the air, no matter where it's at, come down with it no matter where the ball is. That's probably the biggest part for me, just going out there and being consistent play-in and play-out."
Perriman was selected by the Ravens with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2015 draft out of Central Florida. After sitting out his rookie season with an injury, the 6-1, 210-pounder caught 33 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns in 2016. But over the next two seasons, he was limited to 26 receptions for 417 yards and two TDs.
Since being released by the Ravens, Perriman's most productive stretch came late in 2019 with the Buccaneers. In Tampa Bay's final five games, he compiled 25 catches for 506 yards and five touchdowns, closing the season with the first three 100-yard performances of his career.
"That was a unique situation," Perriman said. "My role definitely increased while I was there. Two of our guys, Mike [Evans] and CG [Chris Godwin] got hurt and I was forced to step up and take part in a bigger role and I just took advantage of it."
Hoping to revert to that form, Perriman has been busy digesting the offense since joining the Bears earlier this week. One silver lining about his inability to find a permanent NFL home is that he has plenty of experience learning new systems.
"I feel like I already do [a] good [job] adjusting with having to learn a new playbook," Perriman said. "I'm not too worried about it. I've just got to put in the work and it will come."
Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey has been helping get Perriman up to speed.
"He's excited to be here," Furrey said. "Everything right now is positive, and we'll get him going as fast as we can. Obviously, his speed will be a great addition to our room."
Furrey is interested more in Perriman's present and future than in the wideout's past.
"Exactly where we start is exactly what I told him: 'I don't care where you've been or what you've done. You're here, you're a Chicago Bear, and it's what you do from here on out is how we'll evaluate you,'" Furrey said. "I think he's excited about that, [a] fresh start, clean slate."
