Bears Could Bolster Receiver Depth by Bringing Back Recently Cut Bennett

Dec 15, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) celebrates after catching a pass in the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Hopefully former Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett chose to rent in Cleveland rather than buy.  Just about a month after signing with the Cleveland Browns, they terminated Bennett’s contract, making him a free agent once again.  The Bears could do a lot worse at the wide receiver position than bringing Bennett back.

Everyone is in a hurry to anoint Marquess Wilson as the new #3 wide receiver, but let’s face it, he’s a 7th round pick who had two catches in 2013.  With Domenik Hixon’s unfortunate season ending knee injury, the Bears receiver depth looks a little shaky behind top receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.  Journeyman Josh Morgan suddenly looks like an interesting choice to earn a spot on the Bears roster to serve as a backup wide receiver.

Bennett was cut as a cap casualty earliest this offseason.  He got a bloated contract extension a few seasons ago when he was considered the Bears’ top wide receiver.  Then Brandon Marshall came via trade and they drafted Jeffery, who had a breakout season in 2013.  If either of those two were to go down, the Bears receiver corps would take a big hit.  It couldn’t hurt to bring in Bennett to compete for a backup receiver job.  He has a longstanding relationship with Cutler from back in their Vanderbilt days and is usually a reliable target who already knows the Marc Trestman’s complex offensive system.

What do you think?  Should the Bears bring Bennett back for another shot?