3 Changes the Chicago Bears must make during the bye week

The Chicago Bears need to start playing N’Keal Harry over Byron Pringle

The N’Keal Harry situation is different than the Alex Leatherwood situation. For one, Harry is not under contract for 2023. That means Ryan Poles would need to extend him this offseason. I’m not certain Poles wants to do that based on what we have seen. It also could come down to Harry not wanting to sign a new contract here in Chicago. Remember, he didn’t choose to come here, Poles traded for him.

Losing a seventh-round draft pick in 2024 isn’t a big deal in my opinion. This isn’t a Ryan Pace type of trade. Taking a swing at Harry made sense. Unfortunately, an injury prior to the start of the season derailed any chance Harry had at building chemistry with Justin Fields in this new offense.

What we did see though was Harry making a big, downfield catch vs the Packers. The problem is, Harry isn’t seeing the field enough. If I were running things, I’d be playing Harry over Byron Pringle. Last week, Pringle saw 20 snaps or 38% of the Bears’ offensive snaps. In that same game, N’Keal Harry only saw five snaps (10%).

Who is more likely to be a part of this team in 2023, Pringle or Harry? Neither is signed beyond this season, but Harry is a former first-rounder who isn’t even 25 yet. Pringle has been more successful in the NFL to date but is already 29. Neither has shown much, but I’d much rather see Harry on the field than Pringle over these final four games.