2. Does Justin Fields need Cole Beasley?
Cole Beasley had a career year in 2020 but was unable to cap it off with 2021 to match. Injuries and COVID got in his way, but overall the offense was arguably more efficient when Isaiah McKenzie was in the slot.
We highlight McKenzie as an underrated free agent who could be a stellar fit with Justin Fields, but apparently, the Bills feel similarly, because they may work to re-sign McKenzie, and cut Beasley in the process. That would save the Bills $6.1M.
The reality is that Beasley will not get that on an open market, so the Chicago Bears could wind up seeing a more experienced, albeit older, slot wide receiver shakes free at a similar or lesser price than McKenzie was.
If that is the case, the team would consider Beasley as an option. The big difference is that McKenzie works downfield more while Beasley is the quicker and more shallow option. Arguably, McKenzie fits the skill set of Justin Fields more. That could be why the Bills prefer McKenzie to Beasley too, though.
With that in mind, it does open the chance to get Beasley at a discount rather than McKenzie, and that has to be an option if so.