It's no secret that the Bears will be addressing the wide receiver position this offseason, as their lack of dependable pass-catchers behind D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet was one of their most glaring weaknesses last year. Ideally, they will add two new capable starters to the receiver room this offseason to make life easier on whoever is under center for Chicago.
Luckily for the Bears, the 2024 NFL Draft boasts an impressive group of pass-catchers, so they could theoretically find two new starters there. However, they can also address the position in free agency, as a few proven veterans will be looking for homes this offseason.
Rumors have been circulating that Mike Evans could reach the open market for the first time in his decade-long career, and those rumblings got reinforced when NFL insider Jordan Schultz announced that the pass-catcher and the Buccaneers front office were far apart in contract negotiations this morning.
Evans will be one of the biggest fishes on the open market if he makes it there this offseason. He is fresh off a campaign in which he tied for the league lead with 13 receiving touchdowns and is still playing at a high level at 30. Receivers of his caliber rarely make it to free agency, especially when they have been as consistent (both on and off the field) as Evans.
The Bears have over $70 million to burn this offseason, and they would be wise to use a portion of it to bring Evans to the Windy City. They would provide him a great landing spot to finish his career, while he would give them a proven pass-catcher whose resume stacks up favorably to virtually any receiver in the league.