Should the Chicago Bears make a trade for N’Keal Harry?

Having too many weapons on an offense is never an issue in the NFL. The same can be said for the Chicago Bears and their potential to be a suitor for N’Keal Harry, who has requested a trade from the New England Patriots.

Harry’s agent, Jamal Tooson, released this statement regarding the matter:

Harry was the 32nd overall draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. An injured-riddled rookie season resulted in only seven games played. In his short tenure with the Patriots, he has had 45 receptions for 414 yards and four touchdowns.

A player looking for a fresh start, N’Keal Harry is a young receiver with plenty of potential. The question is to be considered then — should the Chicago Bears trade for N’Keal Harry?

Chicago Bears trading for N’Keal Harry: Pros

On paper, N’Keal Harry is a cheap investment in terms of a cap space hit. He’s on the third year of a four-year, $10 million contact roughly. Harry would be a free agent in 2023 unless his fifth-year option was exercised. In short, he’s a cheap investment on the money side of things.

Harry would also be entering a wide receiver room that, while crowded on paper, has very few long-term pieces. Outside of Darnell Mooney and rookie Dazz Newsome, the Chicago Bears don’t have many receivers in regards to contracts outside of 2022. Anthony Miller and Allen Robinson, to name a few, are players who will be out of Chicago in 2021 without a new contract.

For the Bears, finding pieces for new quarterback Justin Fields is of the utmost importance. If Harry can edge his way into a role in 2021 in a hypothetical trade, the team would have insurance should Robinson walk and/or Miller not pan out.

The biggest pro is the cost. Harry wouldn’t be a large-cap space hit, so if he fails to figure it out in Chicago, the Chicago Bears can easily get out of his rookie deal.

Chicago Bears trading for N’Keal Harry: Cons

Unfortunately, the cons may outweigh the pros in any trade scenario.

The Chicago Bears lack 2022 draft capital to make a truly enticing offer. It’s unlikely the Patriots would seek anything below a fifth-round pick, despite being consistent partners with the Bears in terms of trades. The Chicago Bears could try to lobby a player in the mix, but it would have to be someone on a similar deal as Harry.

Harry would be entering a loaded wide receiver room, as mentioned earlier. Players like Marquise Goodwin, former teammate Damiere Byrd, Javon Wims, and Riley Ridley are all bubble players fighting for roster spots. N’Keal Harry would be in a training camp battle from the get-go.

What makes any trade offer the least bit likely is the production. In Harry’s defense, he was injured and transitioned to a new quarterback who struggled to produce in 2020 in Cam Newton. Regardless, Harry saw players like Byrd and Jakobi Meyers out-produce him. He may not have the resume the Chicago Bears would be looking for.

Should the Chicago Bears make an offer?

If N’Keal Harry’s trade value is cheap, and if the Bears feel confident he could find his niche in Chicago, then a potential trade shouldn’t be totally out of the question. In all reality, it’s unlikely those will be the case, and the Bears should likely stay away and preserve their few draft picks.