LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Brandon Rideau finally has his foot in the door. Now it’s just a matter of him busting through it.

After failing to stick on the Bears’ 53-man roster the past three seasons, the lanky wide receiver has been performing well in OTA practices and seemingly has a chance to contribute this year.

Brandon Rideau celebrates his 19-yard TD catch last preseason against the Cleveland Browns.

“I feel like I am making strides,” Rideau said. “I feel like I have a great opportunity. I’m blessed to have this opportunity and I want to make the best of it. I’ve been around this offense for three years now. I am one of the familiar guys, so I can move around a little bit.”

Rideau, who has been working at all three receiver positions in OTAs, entered the NFL in 2005 as an undrafted free agent with the Browns. He spent most of his rookie season on Cleveland’s 53-man roster, but he did not appear in a game.

After spending the final 14 weeks of the 2006 season on the Bears’ practice squad, Rideau made a strong push to earn a roster spot the following summer. He caught five passes for 87 yards in the preseason, but he hurt his ankle and was waived/injury before the start of the regular season.

Rideau was re-signed prior to the season finale, but the 6-3, 198-pounder did not suit up.

Rideau had another impressive preseason last year, leading the NFL with three touchdown receptions, but he once again failed to earn a spot on the opening day roster. After spending the first 11 weeks of the season on the practice squad, Rideau was elevated to the active roster Nov. 22.

Rideau made his NFL debut Nov. 23 in a road win in St. Louis and played again in the season finale in Houston, registering two special-teams tackles in a loss to the Texans.

With Rideau’s experience in the offense, this could finally be the year he makes the team out of training camp.

“It’s looking brighter this time around,” Rideau said. “It’s all about what I want to do with it. The coaches talk to me and say, ‘Hey, you’ve got opportunities, just make plays.’ That’s pretty much all they have to say. They want to put the best guys on the field and I have to prove that I am one of the best guys.”

Rideau is currently the tallest of 10 Bears receivers, but he doesn’t feel that necessarily gives him an advantage.

“I feel like I am a bigger receiver, so I have to be able to play bigger,” said the Kansas product. “It just depends. You can be big and not make plays and then you’re sitting on the bench. It doesn’t matter. It’s just about how you compete and how you make plays.”