NEWSLETTER
Replacing Alshon Jeffery’s 2016 production might be easier than you think.
Jeffery caught only 52 passes for 821 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games in 2016, in what turned out to be his final season with the Bears. To be frank, those are relatively pedestrian numbers for a player whose stats didn’t match his potential the last two seasons. And thus, replacing those numbers will probably not be an issue.
However, replacing Jeffery’s upside is the real challenge here for the Bears. Further, extrapolate Jeffery’s 2016 numbers over a full 16-game season and it comes out to 69 catches and 1,094 yards.
It is evident the Bears will use depth and options to make up for what they lack in potential star power. And not only is newly-signed wideout Kendall Wright one of those pieces, he is the one with the highest upside.
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Player, Age (in 2017) Position
Kendall Wright, 28, wide receiver
Contract
1 year, $2 million ($1 million guaranteed; $750,000 in base salary guaranteed, up to $2 million in incentives for receptions, reception yards, and touchdowns, per the Chicago Tribune)
2016 Performance
Despite limited snaps, Wright graded out to be an average receiver by Pro Football Focus’ standards. Wright caught a career best 69 percent of passes thrown his way in 2016, while also posting an average of 14.3 yards per reception — also a career best.
He didn’t get much time with rising star quarterback Marcus Mariota, but he made the most of his chances. Mariota posted a 100.5 quarterback rating when targeting Wright, completing was 26 for 40 (65 percent completion rate) passes to go along with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
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Performance Before 2016
Wright’s breakout year in 2013 obviously stands out. That season, he caught 94 passes for 1,079 yards — but scored just two touchdowns. Not bad considering the quarterbacks throwing him the ball that season were Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jake Locker. Unfortunately for Wright, he never took the next step, and his grades plateaued to that of an average player. In the two years that immediately followed his breakout campaign, Wright totaled 93 catches, 1,123 yards and nine touchdowns in 24 games.
I can’t help but wonder if things would have been different for Wright had he clicked with Mariota from the get-go. Mariota completed 51 of 82 passes (62.2 percent) intended for Wright for 708 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. It all added up to an 84.8 passer rating for Mariota when targeting Wright, which is respectable, but not nearly as successful as Mariota’s 94.8 rating when throwing to all his other receivers over the last two years.
Here’s hoping Wright has a better success rate with Mike Glennon.
Wright may get an assist from his new offensive coordinator, Dowell Loggains, who was his offensive coordinator with the Titans in that breakout 2013 season.
Highlights
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Injury history
An assortment of injuries has hindered Wright’s development over the last three years. He was ruled out for two games in 2016 (hamstring), two in 2015 (ribs), three in 2014 (knee). In total, he has been unavailable for 13 games over the last three seasons. Hard to build up a good rapport with an up-and-coming quarterback from the injury report.
Where Wright Fits
The good news for Kendall Wright is that he isn’t coming to Chicago to replace Jeffery’s production all by himself. In fact, no player on the roster should be asked to try to carry that type load in 2017. When Jeffery was healthy in 2013 and 2014, he was the kind of receiver worthy of getting more than 140 passes thrown in his direction yearly, and the Bears simply don’t have that kind of player on their roster. Perhaps Wright comes close, but like Jeffery before him, needs to stay on the field to reach his potential.
Much like Prince Amukamara on the defensive side of the ball, Wright comes to Chicago looking to make good on a one-year “prove-it” contract. And like Amukamara, Wright will be aiming to shake off the injury bug in the process.
Quotable
“Getting on the field and playing in front of those fans I’ve seen when I was a Titan and we came down and played the Bears. Playing for those fans — even in the cold weather.”
#Bears fans left a lasting impression on @1kendallwright last season @SoldierField. pic.twitter.com/x1zAguXlcW
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 18, 2017
Apparently, Bears fans left a strong impression on Wright when Tennessee came to town and escaped with a 27-21 win on Nov. 27, 2016 at Soldier Field. Wright was a non-factor as a receiver (0 targets), but returned two kicks for 28 yards. His only other experience against Chicago came in a 51-20 Bears win on Nov. 4, 2012, a game in which he was targeted seven times and caught two passes for 30 yards.
Hopefully, he has a better experience with the Bears than he did playing against them.
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