Kendall Wright joined the Chicago Bears in 2017 with something to prove, and ended up leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards while posting the best grade among the team’s receivers from Pro Football Focus.
And yet, it doesn’t seem likely that Wright will see a second season in Chicago.
In his Q&A mailbag at the Chicago Tribune, Brad Biggs responds to a question regarding the future of Wright (and free agent cornerback Prince Amukamara) and gives off a feeling that a reunion isn’t in the works right now: “I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that either one could return, but I imagine the Bears are prioritizing other players at those positions right now,” Biggs writes. “If Matt Nagy wants the team to pursue Albert Wilson of the Chiefs as a slot receiver, that could make it less likely Wright returns.”
Wilson and Wright are similar players in that both are shifty slot receivers. But Wilson is younger, looks faster, and is already well-versed in Nagy’s offense. It’s not as if Wright doesn’t come with his own set of pros, because we really shouldn’t discount the rapport he was able to build with Mitch Trubisky during the rookie quarterback’s maiden voyage. Still, Wilson probably has a leg up if the choice came down to the two.
While Wilson is a sensible player for the Bears to add this offseason, Allen Robinson is emerging as the team’s rumored top free agent target – and for good reason.
It should go without saying, but signing both Robinson and Wilson would bring a new dynamic to Chicago’s offense in 2018. If Wright returns, it will probably be because some of the team’s primary options fell through. And that wouldn’t be a good thing.