Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel might not be the only new wide receivers Mitch Trubisky will be targeting in 2018.
While speaking in an interview with Charlotte radio station WFNZ, Joel Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate reports that WR Allen Hurns listed the Chicago Bears among the teams who’ve reached out to him since he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Hurns also lists the Saints, Bills, Texans, Jets, Raiders, Panthers, and “a couple of other teams.” Among those “others” could be the Cowboys, who he is scheduled to meet with soon (if he hasn’t already). He has also already scheduled a meeting with the Jets and will get it if the weather clears up out east.
There hasn’t been word of a scheduled visit to Chicago, but when it comes to the Bears’ interest, we already know he’s been courted by a former Jaguars teammate (and one of the newest members of the Bears). Perhaps another (looking at you, Prince Amukamara) could chime in as well?
Hurns was half way through a four-year deal in the $40 million range that included $20 million in guarantees with Jacksonville, when the Jaguars released him on Tuesday. His best year came in 2015, when he caught 64 passes for 1,031 yards, and 10 touchdowns while lining up opposite of Robinson.
Things haven’t been the same for the 6-3, 195-pound University of Miami product since the start of the 2016 season, though. Since the end of 2015, Hurns has 74 catches for 961 yards and five touchdowns in 21 games. Indeed, his role had been scaled back considerably in Jacksonville, as the team has shifted gears to become more run-oriented.
The competition will be stiff for Hurns, but the Bears could be in the market for another receiver if the team loses restricted free agent Cameron Meredith. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets Meredith did not receive an offer sheet upon his Tuesday visit with the Colts and the process “could take a little while,” because Meredith still has visits lined up.
How Meredith’s journey through restricted free agency impacts the Bears’ pursuit of Hurns remains to be seen. The Bears could be lining up Hurns as a backup plan should Meredith leave, or as another experienced body who can further upgrade a group that certainly needed as much help as humanly possible after last season.