Bear Goggles On
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The Chicago Bears Should Not Pursue Maclin or Decker

By Josh Diaz

Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) catches a pass as Tennessee Titans defensive back Valentino Blake (47) defends during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (19) catches a pass as Tennessee Titans defensive back Valentino Blake (47) defends during the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Veteran wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Eric Decker should not be part of the Chicago Bears future.

Two former pro bowl and first-team all pro wide receivers are up for grabs late in the off-season. By now every team has signed and drafted whomever they could to get ready for next season. But when players the caliber of Eric Decker and Jeremy Maclin become available, every team should stop and consider them. The Chicago Bears shouldn’t pursue Decker or Maclin because of the team’s identity, roster, and salary.

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The unexpected release of Jeremy Maclin is good news for the handful of teams that are still looking to add to their wide receiver corps.

Now just a week later, Eric Decker is on his way out of New York via release or trade.

Signing either Decker or Maclin makes the most sense for a team looking for one more player to make the playoffs, or go on a strong Super Bowl run.

The Chicago Bears are in neither of those situations and aren’t expected to be for another season or two.

The wide receivers consist of a very young group. Kendall Wright, Cameron Meredith, Kevin White, Rueben Randle, Markus Wheaton, are all under 27 years old. The veteran of the group is the 30-year old Victor Cruz.

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Decker is 30 years old, and Maclin is 29 years old. By no stretch are they considered old, and both still have plenty left in the tank.  However, the Bears already have taken a gamble on a veteran receiver with the low-risk, high reward signing of Victor Cruz.

Maclin and Decker have already made their big-money contracts and shouldn’t be signed for huge money. They will be offered much more than the Cruz deal which is a one-year deal worth up to $4 million dollars.

The Bears aren’t in need of either player at the moment and should shy away from them barring any injuries.

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