The Chicago Bears need to pursue this likely free agent receiver

Seconds after Adam Schefter dropped the news on Amari Cooper “likely” being released by the Dallas Cowboys, once again, Chicago Bears fans lost their mind — and rightfully so!

Amari Cooper is the exact wide receiver the Chicago Bears should be looking for

Amari Cooper doesn’t turn 28 until mid-July, which makes him still a very dangerous WR1 for years to come, barring something catastrophic. Now, just imagine Amari Cooper and Justin Fields playing together. Imagining that, throw Darnell Mooney in the mix. That’s a passing offense that could make blind men see.

Okay, maybe not, but it’s a signing that would make Bears fans smile from ear to ear.

In 2020, Cooper signed a five-year, $100M contract with Dallas, averaging out to $20M/year.

At $20M per year, that places him at fourth in the NFL in most expensive receivers per year. With that, I’d argue he’s worth every single penny. And for someone– me– that really enjoys watching Justin Fields throw the ball, this would be a move that makes watching Fields and the Chicago Bears’ offense even more enjoyable. Thinking about it, I guess almost any positive addition would make the Chicago Bears’ offense more fun to watch, but this move specifically.

Whether the Chicago Bears actually sign Amari Cooper or not, it’d be malpractice by the Bears to not even give Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys a phone call to see about a potential trade. If they want more than a very late-round draft pick, then Ryan Poles needs to be on the phone with Cooper’s agent as soon as it’s not considered tampering.

With how Ryan Poles has carried himself thus far as the general manager, signing Amari Cooper would prove his tenacity as the new leader of the Chicago Bears.

In Cooper’s seven-year NFL career thus far, he’s surpassed 1,000 yards four times, not including 2018 where he had a combined 1,000+ yards with the then Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. One of those seasons was his rookie season, which is always an impressive bar to reach as a rookie receiver, and to see the production continue shows why he’s in the top-5 for highest-paid receivers.

"Amari Cooper’s career production:(OAK) 2015: 130 targets, 72 reeceptions, 1,070 yards, 6 TDs(OAK) 2016: 132 targets, 83 receptions, 1,153 yards, 5 TDs(OAK) 2017: 96 targets, 48 targets, 680 yards, 7 TDs(OAK/DAL) 2018: 107 targets, 75 receptions, 1,005 yards, 7 TDs(DAL) 2019: 119 targets, 79 receptions, 1,189 yards, 8 TDs(DAL) 2020: 130 targets, 92 receptions, 1,114 yards, 5 TDs(DAL) 2021: 104 targets, 68 receptions, 865 yards, 8 TDs"

As you can see above, Amari Cooper is just about as close to the dictionary definition of “production” as they come. With that, it makes a lot of sense for Cooper to be as expensive as he is.

With Allen Robinson likely on the way out of Chicago, I’d be head over heels to see Amari Cooper replace him. That’s not a shot at Allen Robinson, as I’ve been an Allen Robinson truther for many years. Excluding last year, ARob was a receiver I was constantly defending as being top-10.

Now, with pairing Amari Cooper’s 4.42 40-yard dash time with Darnell Mooney’s 4.38 40-yard dash time, this offense could be the most explosive in the NFC North at the very least.

Signing Cooper would also cut down on the holes needed to plug prior to the season, which would take some pressure off the need to hit home runs in the NFL Draft and free agency.

In Ryan Poles’ first season as general manager of the Chicago Bears, does he make a splash by pursuing Amari Cooper? We shall see, but I’m hoping for it.