The Facts: The Bears announced Thursday it had stuck a one-year deal with Hixon.

Diehards Line: Hixon, 29, caught seven passes for 55 yards and a TD in 15 games for Carolina in 2013, and he’ll likely provide receiving depth in Chicago. The departure of Hixon (6-2, 205) further thins the Panthers’ depth chart at wide receiver. The club released long-time lead wideout Steve Smith on Thursday. Another starting receiver, Brandon LaFell, is an unrestricted free agent. In short, the Panthers could be facing a major overhaul at the position. That’s not the case in Chicago, where Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery give the Bears a top-caliber wideout tandem.