It is clear that the Chicago Bears need help at wide receiver. Trading for Chase Claypool, even if he does find his way back to his rookie production, is not enough. This team needs a bonafide top-tier WR1 for Justin Fields to throw the ball to. Someone he can trust to make catches that none of the other receivers outside of Darnell Mooney have made this season.
Ryan Poles has a couple of options when it comes to adding talent to the roster. He can go with free agency or he could look to the 2023 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at free agency first.
Three Pass Catchers the Chicago Bears could sign in free agency
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
After signing JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal last offseason, the former Trojan receiver may be the odd man out of a receiver room that includes Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, and the newly acquired former Giant in Kadarius Toney.
If Smith-Schuster hits free agency in the summer of 2023, he will likely be the most accomplished wide receiver available and at 26 years old, the receiver still has many productive years ahead of him. The former Steeler would also be reuniting with Chase Claypool, whom the Bears acquired at this season’s trade deadline.
A trio of Smith-Schuster, Claypool, and Darnell Mooney at receiver would showcase an array of speed, size, and post-catch ability that would give Justin Fields a number of options in the passing game. If this season is any indication, Smith-Schuster will likely not demand a lot of salary cap and could be a reliable option as Fields continues to develop as a passer.