Holmes announced his retirement from professional football Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Holmes, who last appeared in an NFL game in 2014, played parts of nine seasons with the Steelers, Jets and Bears, logging 389 career catches for 6,030 and 36 touchdowns. He's best known for his years in Pittsburgh, with whom he earned MVP honors in Super Bowl 43 after hauling in the game-winning touchdown pass with 35 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Unsurprisingly, Holmes decided to retire as a member of the Steelers.

Holmes was waived by the Bears on Tuesday, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reports. The veteran wideout's role in the Bears' offense had all but evaporated -- he had been targeted just once since Week 5 -- and with Marquess Wilson (collarbone) seemingly close to a return, Holmes was deemed expendable. The 30-year-old Holmes caught eight passes for 67 yards in nine games with Chicago, and still has just two touchdowns since 2011.

Holmes hauled in his lone target for 11 yards in Sunday's 55-14 loss to the Packers. Holmes reception came one play after Brandon Marshall suffered an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter. The severity of Marshall's injury isn't known at this time, but if the ailment ends up keeping him out of action next Sunday against the Vikings, Holmes see his first extended action of the season on offense. He's largely gone ignored in the passing game with Marshall and Alshon Jeffery active for all nine of the Bears' nine games, accumulating only eight receptions for 67 yards.

Holmes wasn't targeted in Sunday's 51-23 loss to the Patriots. Those who drafted Holmes in deeper leagues with the hope that his signing with the Bears would help revive a stalled career have probably cut bait by now. He's caught just seven passes for 56 yards on the season and hasn't seen a target in the last three weeks. Holmes offers most of his contributions these days on special teams as the Bears' punt returner.

Holmes didn't receive a target in Sunday's win over the Falcons. It was the second time in three weeks that Holmes failed to register a single target. Josh Morgan seems to have moved ahead of Holmes as the Bears' preferred No. 3 receiver, but it's not a role that should bear much fruit while Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall remain healthy. Holmes will see most of his usage on special teams, where he serves as the team's punt returner.

Holmes caught one pass for six yards in Sunday's 31-24 loss to the Panthers. The Bears' third receiver role continues to remain a difficult one to assess, as Holmes and Josh Morgan have seemed to alternate their usage over the last three games. After Holmes failed to log a single target to Morgan's four in the previous week's loss to the Packers, the two receivers flip-flopped against the Panthers, as Holmes saw three to Morgan's none. Regardless, with all of Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Marshall, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte seeing the overwhelming majority of looks in the passing game, there's barely any room for either Holmes or Morgan to carve out much fantasy utility.

Holmes didn't log a single target in the passing game Sunday against the Packers. Holmes appeared to have locked down the No. 3 receiver job after outpacing Josh Morgan in both targets and snaps when both were active in last week's win over the Jets, but that may no longer be the case. The two receivers flipped the script Sunday, as it was Morgan who saw four targets to Holmes' none, racking up 24 yards and nearly coming away with a touchdown. It will probably be difficult to get a read on whether Morgan or Holmes is viewed as the team's third receiver until coach Marc Trestman offers more clarity on the matter, so for now, it's probably best not to invest in either option too heavily.

Holmes caught two passes for nine yards on three targets in Monday's 27-19 win over the Jets. Holmes saw a decent amount of the field, but as one would expect, he ranked fifth on the team in targets, trailing Alshon Jeffery (13), Martellus Bennett (eight), Matt Forte (seven) and Brandon Marshall). Holmes is the fifth option in a passing game that has four very talented players, but he's at least ahead of Josh Morgan for the No. 3 wide receiver role.

Holmes caught two balls for 20 yards in Sunday's win over the 49ers. Heading into Sunday's game, Holmes looked as though he would have a chance at starting with Brandon Marshall (ankle) and Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) both beat up, but both ended up resuming their regular roles and saw mostly full workloads. Holmes was once again just left with picking up the scraps as the No. 3 receiver, muting most of his fantasy impact. Assuming Marshall and Jeffery remain healthy, Holmes' role in the offense doesn't figure to change.

If Brandon Marshall (ankle) or Alshon Jeffery (hamstring) miss Sunday's game against San Francisco, Holmes would likely step in as a starter. Holmes was an unwanted free agent for most of the offseason, but that had little to do with his talent level. Holmes can probably produce if he gets a big enough opportunity, so he's a player to watch if one of the star Chicago wideouts sit Sunday. Owners of Marshall and Jeffery in particular will want Holmes on speed dial.