3 Takeaways from the Chicago Bears loss to the Vikings

The Chicago Bears lack of talent at receiver doomed them again

The notion that the Bears have the league’s worst receiving core should no longer be considered an exaggeration, as Chicago’s pass-catchers have dropped the ball (both literally and figuratively) far too often to begin the year.

Dante Pettis played 30 snaps and had two costly drops (which is, unfortunately, becoming a theme) that would have kept drives alive. Meanwhile, former Viking Ihmir Smith-Marsette looked like he was still playing for the team in purple during the contest. The 23-year-old was not only charged with a block in the back penalty that wiped a 52-yard Justin Fields touchdown run off the board, but he also fumbled the ball away when Chicago was driving with only a minute left in the game.

Darnell Mooney showed that he can still be a game-changing weapon when he took the top off the defense for a 39-yard gain in the second quarter, but the play of those behind him has left an awful lot to be desired.

The return of N’Keal Harry could not come at a better time, as he will hopefully provide the Chicago Bears with some physicality they have been sorely missing at the position. If he and Velus Jones Jr. (who kept his promise of scoring on his first offensive touch) can quickly become acclimated to the offense, that will go a long way in the team’s ability to beat defenses through the air.

Retooling the receiver position looks like it will be one of Chicago’s biggest priorities in the offseason, as Mooney is the only proven pass-catcher who has earned the right to be considered a starter for next year’s squad. However, it was not all negative for the Bears’ passing game, as Justin Fields still balled out despite the team’s lack of talent on the perimeter.