Undrafted rookie receiver JP Richardson didn't waste any time making an impact in his first NFL training camp.

The TCU product generated a highlight-reel play in the Bears' first practice July 23 with a diving one-handed catch deep down the right sideline. Richardson has continued to impress in subsequent workouts after entering camp with one simple goal in mind.

"I know the type of teammate and the type of player I am, and I was just going to let that be shown," Richardson told ChicagoBears.com. "Just go out and be myself and make a play whenever the play comes my way.

"I've still got a really long way to go. Training camp is not near being over. I still have got a lot of plays to make, but I feel I'm off on a decent foot here."

Richardson is competing for a roster spot at a deep and talented receiver position that includes DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay and Tyler Scott, among others.

"I've got to finish strong and really get after it every single day, maybe even crank it up a couple notches because it's not going to be easy to make this team," Richardson said. "I'm well aware of that. But I feel like I'm attacking every day with the mindset of 'I'm good enough to be on this team and I would die to be on this team.'"

Richardson grew up in Missouri City, Texas, just outside Houston. He starred at Ridge Point High School, setting all-time receiving records for catches and yards.

The 5-11, 192-pounder spent the past four seasons at Oklahoma State (2021-22) and TCU (2023-24), catching 173 passes for 1,944 yards and 11 touchdowns. Last year he established career highs with 57 receptions and 733 yards and averaged 11.6 yards on 23 punt returns, including an 89-yard TD in a win over Kansas.

There were 32 receivers selected in this year's NFL Draft—the most players at any position—but Richardson was not among them. He felt he had the production and traits to be chosen and was surprised when he wasn't picked.

"I was definitely disappointed," Richardson said. "I thought that I was a guy that had the skillset, had the film, had the athletic ability to be drafted. I thought that was going to happen for me. For whatever reason it didn't. But God has a plan and it's already written. I'm just so stoked to be able to be at a place like Chicago. This is such a historical place. It's just the coolest thing ever."

It's no surprise that going undrafted put a sizeable chip on Richardson's shoulder.

"Certainly that motivates me," he said. "I feel like I was the best slot receiver in the country this past season. I guess it's easy to overlook a guy that looks like me. I don't necessarily pass the eye test with flying colors. But I think when you turn the tape on, it might surprise some people.

"What motivates me is just proving people wrong. I really get a lot of pleasure out of seeing the look on people's faces when they were the ones saying I couldn't do something and then I go and do it. But I don't really need any external motivation. I just love proving myself right. I get real pleasure about showing up and working hard."

Richardson has enjoyed showing up and working hard for coach Ben Johnson.

"Coach Johnson is just such a sharp dude," Richardson said. "He's a passionate guy. You can just tell he eats, sleeps and breathes football. He's obsessed with football and that's the type of guy you need leading your team. He's extremely articulate in meetings about what he wants out of us. Whenever he gets up and presents the plays to us, he's overcommunicating what he wants everybody to do. It's really cool to see him do his thing. He's a hell of a coach."

While Richardson hopes to make the most of his opportunities on offense in training camp and the preseason, he knows that his key to securing a roster spot as a reserve receiver could depend on how he performs on special teams. He's comfortable in that role, having been named honorable mention Big 12 special teams player of the year last season after tying for 11th in the nation with 252 punt return yards.

"I feel like I can play anywhere on special teams," Richardson said. "If you need me to run down on kickoff and go hit somebody in the mouth, I'll gladly do that. If you want me to return punts, return kicks, be on the front line, play gunner, whatever it is, I feel like I have the skillset and the toughness and the mentality to go make a play on teams."

Off the field, Richardson likes to play golf, hang with friends and binge-watch TV series such as "Game of Thrones" and "Sons of Anarchy."

"I'm really a simple guy," he said. "There's not much to me. I just try to do the right thing whenever I can and just smile and try to leave a positive impact on people. That's what I like to do."