Chicago Bears Week 7 Free Agent Stock Watch
By Tooch
Oct 20, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Devin Hester (23) runs with the ball past Washington Redskins defensive back Jose Gumbs (48) to make a touchdown in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Hitting you harder than Pat McAfee, it’s your Chicago Bears Week 7 Free Agent stock watch:
RISING
Devin Hester
Finally, Hester returned to his old form and scored on a fantastic 81-yard punt return. He had plenty of help from his special teams unit with some key blocks, but Hester made some beautiful cuts and hit the acceleration button at the perfect moment. This was exactly what the “Windy City Flyer” needed to get himself back on the radar in a positive light and bring some attention to himself and his contract situation.
Josh McCown
McCown ends up in the Rising column by default, for the most part. However, what he did on Sunday following the injury to Jay Cutler was nothing short of amazing. The backup quarterback completed 14-of-20 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown. The lone blemish for McCown came at the end of the game, when he took a sack and effectively ended any chances of the Bears winning the game. Regardless, McCown proved his value to the Bears and showed head coach Marc Trestman just how well he has learned the new offense. He is a must-have player for next season, regardless of what the Bears decide to do with Cutler.
Patrick Mannelly
Mannelly gets the mention here because, quite frankly, there were so few bright spots for the Bears on Sunday that we needed to highlight somebody. He and kicker Robbie Gould should be the Bears’ long snapper-kicker tandem for life. Enough said.