By the 1986 season, friction had developed between Gault and Bears quarterback Jim McMahon. In his autobiography published that year, McMahon suggested that Gault was undependable, and only put forth his best effort if the game was on national television. Gault stated in an interview with "Sports Illustrated" that he wasn't sure why McMahon seemed hesitant to throw it to him more often (the "Sports Illustrated" article's author, Bruce Newman, suggested that Gault didn't get as many throws because he was frequently double-teamed). In spite of this squabble, Gault finished the 1986 season with 42 catches for 818 yards, including 7 catches for 174 yards against Cincinnati, and four catches for 116 yards against Tampa Bay.