Recent news paints a grim picture for the Chicago Bears' plans this offseason
The Chicago Bears are running out of free-agent wide receivers
If Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears look to free agency to help solve their wide receiver problem, the opportunity to land a legit WR2 is quickly fading. Next week (March 11) marks the start of the legal tampering period. If you are unfamiliar with what this means, the NFL allows teams to negotiate deals for two days before the actual start of the new league year. Deals may be announced, but are not official until the start of free agency on March 13, 2024, at 3:00 PM CST.
The problem is that arguably the top-three receivers are now unavailable.
1. Tee Higgins, WR - Bengals
Tee Higgins would have been at the top of most Chicago Bears fans' wish list due to his consistency and age. Higgins is only 25 years old and has averaged 921 yards and six touchdowns over his four-year career.
Unfortunately, the Bengals franchise tagged Higgins and the only way to add him to the Bears' roster is by trading for him. Something worth considering depending on the draft compensation.
2. Michael Pittman, WR - Colts
A slightly less successful version of Tee Higgins is Michael Pittman, Jr. Pittman hasn't officially been franchise-tagged yet, but multiple reports are that the Colts plan on using the tag on him if a deal cannot be finalized.
Over his first four years, Pittman has averaged 916 receiving yards and just over three touchdowns per year. Excluding his rookie season though, he has averaged five touchdowns over his last three years and is only 26 years old.
3. Mike Evans, WR - Buccaneers
Earlier this week, the Buccaneers and Mike Evans agreed to a two-year deal, removing Evans from free agency before it even started. Although I don't think Evans was ever in the cards for the Chicago Bears, it removes another wide receiver option, causing a domino effect for other receivers and teams looking to upgrade that position.
Do you see now why the Chicago Bears are running out of ways to improve their wide receiver room?
Top remaining pending free agent wide receivers (age):
- Calvin Ridley (29)
- Marquise Brown (26)
- Gabriel Davis (25)
- Curtis Samuel (27)
- Darnell Mooney (26)
- Odell Beckham, Jr. (31)
- Tyler Boyd (29)
- Kendrick Bourne (28)
- Josh Reynolds (29)
Do any of these guys stand out to you as legit options to become the WR2 in the Chicago Bears' offense in 2024? I can see three names at most and that might make things difficult for the Bears this offseason. I know what many of you are thinking. Draft your WR2 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Well, that might be easier said than done.