Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the worst-case scenario that was feared regarding Cameron Meredith’s knee injury:
Rapoport also notes Meredith will be a restricted free agent in 2018, so the Bears will have an important decision to make when the time comes. Until then, there is an entire season to be played and roster spots to be filled and earned.
Earlier, we discussed the Bears’ internal options, which range from Kevin White getting an opportunity to live up to his first-round billing to Tanner Gentry making a similar climb to that of Meredith going from an undrafted free agent to a top option. There are some external options the Bears can look at, too.
Let’s discuss:
The idea of trading for Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry is quite tantalizing. Landry is coming off consecutive 1,100-yard receiving seasons, won’t turn 25 until November, and will be a free agent after the season. Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi recently tweeted Miami would give a serious listen to trade offers that came their way from teams inquiring about the receiver. However, those rumors have been debunked by head coach Adam Gase, who told ESPN’s James Walker he had a conversation with Landry in which he said there was “no chance” of a deal going down. Trading Landry right now would be tough for the Dolphins, a team that made the playoffs last year and coaxed Jay Cutler out of retirement to keep the passing game moving forward. Still, it was a nice thought while it lasted.
Also, keep in mind that back in June, Landry’s agent told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald there will be no contract talks once the season begins on Sept. 10. So even if Landry doesn’t get traded, free agency looms, and the Bears should be very interested.
Over at Pro Football Weekly, Hub Arkush describes the Bears’ receiving situation as “a jigsaw puzzle that appears to be missing a few pieces.” Yikes. Arkush suggests the Bears will hit up the waiver wire in search of veteran receivers who will be let go in the coming weeks.
Remember, a new rule in effect this year means there is only one cut-down date (coming this Saturday). So unless a trade is in the works, the Bears could be stuck waiting until the weekend to make a move. Then again, the Bears added an impact piece after cuts last year, signing Josh Sitton after he was let go by the Green Bay Packers. Chicago was fortunate to make such a move, but GM Ryan Pace deserves credit for pouncing on the opportunity to improve the offensive line. He’ll need that same kind of gusto to do the same to this group of receivers.
Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Rumors lists a handful of receivers who are currently on the market. The group includes some familiar names such as Pro Bowlers Vincent Jackson, fantasy football flash-in-the-pan Stevie Johnson, and former second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham. You can check out the list of free agent receivers here. To be honest, it’s not a group that stands out if your team is in search of a replacement. You’ll note that former Bears Marquess Wilson and Eddie Royal are also on the list.
Devin Hester, 34, makes the list, too. I’m quite certain we won’t see the former return specialist line up at receiver, but it does allow us to re-visit his greatness – if only for a moment.
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