Gault was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round (18th overall pick) in the 1983 NFL Draft, and had an immediate impact during his rookie season. He caught four passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' loss to New Orleans, five passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in the Bears' loss to Baltimore, and four passes for 129 yards and an 87-yard touchdown in the Bears' loss to Green Bay. Gault was the prototypical "speed merchant", meaning his greatest asset was his pure straight line swiftness.