5 Chicago Bears storylines to follow after the bye

The Chicago Bears may be out of playoff contention, but the next four games are still important for a first-year coach, first-year General Manager, and a young quarterback. Beyond that, the team will continue working to get better every week, even if fans want a tank job.

So, what are some storylines to follow over the final month of the season?

5. Will Chicago Bears change WR usage

This one started to shift heading into the bye, and now we should start to see the team take more chances to learn about these receivers after the bye week. A few players who need to see more looks include Chase Claypool, N’Keal Harry, and Byron Pringle.

In the case of Claypool, he ascended over Equanimeous St. Brown for the number two spot over the last two weeks. With the injury to Darnell Mooney, the team has decided to give the slot role to Dante Pettis.

So, St. Brown has been the third wide receiver and an outside threat, but that should turn into snaps for Pringle or Harry after the bye week. In the case of Pringle, they signed him with the expectation he would start over St. Brown. He got hurt, and St. Brown did not miss any practice time, but if they have any plans for Pringle returning next year as depth, they have to see a lot more.

The same can be said with Harry, who missed the start of the year with an injury, He fell behind St. Brown, and Pettis, but now it is not about that, it is about throwing him out there and seeing what happens. This is a former first-round pick and a player that you traded for. A small cost or not, it is much smarter to know what you have than wonder what if because you did not want to bench St. Brown for his hard work.