The Chicago Bears have the worst passing game in the NFL through three weeks. Justin Fields hasn’t even crossed 300 yards total and has two touchdowns to four interceptions. Fans are used to seeing this kind of ineptitude from the position after decades of experience, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. Fields is drawing plenty of blame for the struggles, and deservedly so. Others continue to point out his lack of viable weaponry at wide receiver.
Darnell Mooney has four catches on 11 targets thus far this year. He hasn’t played like the #1 option he was supposed to be. Equanimeous St. Brown is the next best option they’ve had, and that’s not saying much. Byron Pringle has been invisible and is hurt again. Nobody is stepping up. NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported on this issue before Chicago’s Week 3 win over Houston. He has it on good authority that GM Ryan Poles will be active on the wide receiver trade market when the deadline approaches around Halloween.
The Chicago Bears’ list of options will be interesting.
Much depends on which teams are not doing well and may be interested in selling off assets for next year. The most obvious name at the moment is Kenny Golladay. The former Detroit Lions standout signed with the New York Giants last offseason. He struggled due to health setbacks and QB inconsistency. Now he’s apparently in the doghouse of new head coach Brian Daboll. There is a growing belief the team may try to trade him, though they’ll have to eat most of his remaining guaranteed money to do so.
Another name to monitor is Robbie Anderson. The veteran deep threat hasn’t appeared happy in Carolina due to multiple circumstances. If their shaky start continues, it wouldn’t be surprising if they dumped the 29-year-old. One other name to at least keep in mind is Michael Thomas. The former Pro Bowler is back and playing well. However, the New Orleans Saints are 1-2 and trending in the wrong direction. If that continues, they may look to unload his hefty contract.
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The Chicago Bears have plenty of cap space going into next spring. They can afford the contracts. The critical issue is what it would take to acquire said receivers from a draft perspective. Poles likely won’t want to give up any high picks. So that could make the process tricky. It will be interesting to watch.
The problem with Justin is that he worked out with “Kap” over the summer. “Kap” put all that “negativity” into the young mans “mojo”…
Michael Thomas for something between 5-7 rounder. Sign and trade Montgomery for 4th rounder. 1st round pick on best available regardless of position. Use 2nd and/or 3rd on WR or TE weapon
Henry Burris. Kordell Stewart. Cade McNown. Craig Krenzel. Mike Glennon. I don’t think JF is the answer either. But we’ve seen worse.
I don’t see any evidence that Poles is willing to trade draft capital away for a short term solution to a long term problem. I see them as more likely to get someone like Odell Beckham, Will Fuller or T.Y. Hilton to get them through this year while keeping that capital in their pockets. The question is, would any of those veterans want to join this passing “attack” at this stage in their careers. Poles is too smart to trade away draft picks in order to win a couple of more games this year.
They need a competent QB and O-Line. The team is in terrible shape, but they built a roster to compete for the 1st round pick. Players on the team should be offended by that take and play harder.