In 2021, wide receiver was not a strong suit for the Chicago Bears — even with Allen Robinson in the fold. Injuries played a part in the Bears depleted wide receiver room last season, but getting second-year quarterback Justin Fields reliable pass catchers for Luke Getsy’s offense should be one of the top priorities this off-season.
Last season, the Bears had 3,635 passing yards, ranking 25th in the league, along with only 16 touchdowns through the air. This was fourth worst in the league last season — only ahead of the Giants, Jaguars, and Panthers. The Bears also ranked 29th in 20+ yard plays through the air and 23rd in 40+ yard plays through the air. This offense lacked explosiveness both on the ground and through the air last season.
The Chicago Bears must find WR talent in the 2022 NFL Draft
This needs to change with the landscape of modern NFL offenses. The Chicago Bears need to target explosive playmakers in this year’s draft to give this offense a desperate boost in explosive plays that were almost nonexistent in Matt Nagy’s offense over the last four seasons.
Wide receiver is one of the Bears’ biggest needs going into the 2022 season. As it stands, the current state of the receiver room is not great. Darnell Mooney is a good receiver, but without Allen Robinson in the fold, he will be what defenses focus on.
Seeing him produce this year as the true number one in this offense will solidify him as the number one receiver for Justin Fields. After Mooney, the depth is not good. Currently, the Bears have Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Dazz Newsome, Nsimba Webster, and Isaiah Coulter under contract. Besides Mooney, the Bears have minimal promise in this receiver group, so drafting one early in this deep class should be a priority to get Fields another reliable pass catcher.