NEWSLETTER
The Bears didn’t reel in any big ones when they were fishing in the receiver market this offseason. So instead of adding star-power at the position, GM Ryan Poles went with the volume approach (Bears general managers have had worse ideas when it comes to attacking positions of need).
But as we approach the preseason finale and note that this team is 17 days from opening the regular season, it comes to our attention that the receiver problems are as glaring now as they were in March.
And with that in mind, there is an expectation that Chicago’s football team will be aggressive in the receiver market once the preseason ends.
“Poles and the Bears will likely be active on the waiver wire following the deadline next Tuesday to cut rosters to the 53-man limit,” writes 670 The Score’s Chris Emma. “There will be plenty of receivers available to place a claim on. While those players will have been cut for a reason, the Bears should land an upgrade for their group.”
Meanwhile, Patrick Finley (Sun-Times) chips in with “it would be shocking if they didn’t add receivers cut loose by other teams next week” while adding “it’s fair to wonder whether general manager Ryan Poles will consider trading for one.”
Hmm. Interesting.
To be clear, I’m not interpreting this as a big bold breaking news story. But still … Bears beat writers reading the tea leaves, seeing injuries pile up for some participation for some slow down for others, and not-so-casually throwing it out there that the Bears will be on the lookout for receiver help isn’t something we should discard. It is obvious the Bears need receiver help. That much we know. But we also know that the Bears haven’t always done the obvious thing, even when every sign is telling them to do so.
So … who’s available?
Odell Beckham Jr. and Will Fuller are the highest-profile receiver names available. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention them at the top, even if I consider either signing with Chicago to be highly unlikely.
Also keep in mind that Beckham is coming off an ACL injury and appears more likely to sign with a team in Super Bowl contention as he seeks another ring. As for Fuller, he is someone who has been on our radar for some time. But he has a history of injury issues of his own. And with the Bears looking for receiver help, in part, because of injuries they have on their own roster, I’m not sure it makes sense.
The Bears could target a veteran player whose addition makes the fringes of the roster marginally better. Cole Beasley has been a wizard in the slot for years. Same for Emmanuel Sanders. T.Y. Hilton has a history with Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus because both were with the Colts, although I feel as if Eberflus’ pull might be more valuable in targeting cornerback help (Xavier Rhodes?) than trying to lure a receiver.
Players on the younger side might make more sense for a rebuilding Bears squad. For instance, Auden Tate and Geronimo Allison were just cut by the Falcons as they got their roster down to 80. Allison has some experience with the Packers, where Bears OC Luke Getsy was his position coach in 2016-17. Tate was a seventh-round pick by the Bengals in 2018 who was Cincy’s second-leading receiver (40 catches, 575 receiving yards, 1 TD) behind Tyler Boyd in 2019. And earlier today, Bucs receiver Cyril Grayson was waived/injured in what was referred to as the “first key departure in the backup receiver battle …” by reporter Greg Auman. I’ve gotta say that ellipses usage is doing a ton of heavy lifting. That is to say, maybe the Bucs are a team to keep tabs on as a team that could let a useful receiver slip through the cracks.
We’ve dabbled in alternative options here and here, but it still feels like we’re only scratching the surface when it comes to unearthing plausible options. Think about it. There are dozens of others who aren’t even on our radar right now because their futures with their own teams is up-in-the-air heading into the final preseason game. But after that? It feels like all bets could be off. Stay tuned.
