Bears could finally find their Keenan Allen replacement with recent visit

The Chicago Bears could be in line to sign a new wide receiver in free agency with training camp about to begin.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that free agent wide receiver DJ Chark recently came in for a visit with the Bears. Chark is coming off his only season with the Los Angeles Chargers where he had just four receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown in seven games.

The seven-year veteran has appeared on the field with four NFL teams after starting his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chark's best season came in 2019 when he racked up his only 1,000-yard season in the NFL and had career highs in receptions (73), yards (1,008), and touchdowns (eight). That 2019 season would be the only one in which he made the Pro Bowl.

Should the Bears sign Chark for training camp?

Chicago's wide receiver position is interesting as it is deep with talent. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are the top two guys. Rookie second-round pick Luther Burden III is expected to be the slot receiver in the offense, with veteran Olamide Zaccheaus ready to fill in if he needs to. Devin Duvernay is another receiver who could make a difference, but he is more of a return specialist.

That final receiver spot needs to be filled with Keenan Allen, having since departed from the Bears in the offseason. Allen was one of the three starters, but Moore and Odunze got more targets their way, cutting into his catches.

The real question is whether the Bears want to carry six wide receivers on the roster. In that case, Chark would have to battle against Tyler Scott and Miles Boykin for that final spot. That's a position battle that Chark would have an advantage in.

Chark has had some good seasons in the NFL and has been more known as a reliable number three or four receiver in an offense. The only concern would be the drops, as he had nine drops between 2022 and 2023 (he had zero last year, but only had 10 targets).

It would be an interesting move for the Bears to bring in another wide receiver when they are loaded at it going into training camp. Fans would rather they focus on areas like the defensive line and linebacker, which have been criticized for a lack of depth.

Having too many playmakers for Caleb Williams, though, is never a bad thing. Chark can bring in a veteran presence to help mentor the younger players.

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This isn't a bad option for the Bears and will be interesting if they decide to bring him in.