Chicago Bears: 5 Players who need to step up for the 2021 season
By Joseph Herff
The Chicago Bears need Damiere Byrd to step up and be a third WR threat
With Darnell Mooney and Allen Robinson locking down the top two wide receiver roles, the third wide receiver spot is completely up for grabs. Anthony Miller likely is the favorite to win the job as he has been with the Bears since 2018, but Damiere Byrd stepping up and beating him out would be a best-case scenario.
Miller struggled greatly in 2020 with drops, remembering routes, and just keeping his cool as he got ejected in the NFC Wild Card game. He hasn’t lived up to the hype that came around him following the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead, he has just drawn attention to himself with antics and stupid mistakes.
Byrd has bounced around the league starting in Carolina but not seeing the field much until 2019 with the Arizona Cardinals. He caught 32 passes for 359 yards and a touchdown. Byrd though had a solid 2020 season with the New England Patriots despite having horrendous quarterback play catching 47 passes for 604 yards and a touchdown.
He is a speedy deep threat that gives the Bears a much-needed explosion. Mooney and Cohen provide speed already, but more explosion makes the Bears a dangerous offense (never thought I’d say that). If he steps into the third wide receiver role and beats out Miller, this offense could put up some points.