The Chicago Bears have plenty of needs across their roster, but fans and experts would agree that wide receiver is tops on the list. Darnell Mooney is the only proven option they have under contract. Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Damiere Byrd are free agents. Dazz Newsome is unproven. Justin Fields needs playmakers if he is going to take the next step in his development. It will be challenging for GM Ryan Poles to find them given his tight budget.
However, the past few days have altered the outlook of the receiver market. It is already common knowledge that the Dallas Cowboys will likely cut veteran Amari Cooper. The same could be true for Jarvis Landry in Cleveland as well. Davante Adams and Chris Godwin were both franchise tagged as expected. Mike Williams signed an extension with the Chargers. It looks like this is what the market will look like come the end of March.
Or so everybody thought.
Things have changed in the past 24 hours. That became obvious when the Seattle Seahawks officially hit the reset button. It started when they traded superstar quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos for a bounty of draft picks and veteran players. Then before people had a chance to digest the news, the organization released All-Pro middle linebacker Bobby Wagner as well. Two pillars of the past decade were gone just like that.
Blockbuster: After weeks of negotiations, in one of the largest trades in NFL history, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have agreed to terms for a deal involving Super-Bowl winning QB Russell Wilson, sources tell ESPN.
Trade is pending a physical and Wilson’s approval. pic.twitter.com/oRFDV8Ehyx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2022
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Seahawks informed eight-time All-Pro and Pro-Bowl LB Bobby Wagner, a franchise icon, that they are releasing him, per source.
Wagner arrived in Seattle on the same 2012 day as Russell Wilson and now leaves the same day, too. End of an era in Seattle.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2022
This has led to speculation that other players on the roster might be available. Players they’re willing to part with for the right price. Immediate thoughts go to their two star receivers, Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Lockett isn’t likely to happen until after June 1st, when the contract penalties become less of an issue. The far more digestible candidate to be moved is Metcalf. He’s 25-years old and in the last year of his rookie deal. From the Bears’ perspective, he is perfect. Young enough to grow with Fields and wouldn’t carry a big hit to their 2022 salary cap.
Chicago Bears should at least explore the Metcalf idea
While he has a big contract likely coming his way, the team should be in a good position to pay him moving forward. More importantly is his fit with the team. Poles said he wants more speed on this team. Metcalf is one of the best deep threats in the league. Fields loves to throw the ball down the field. Just imagine what it might be like with Metcalf and Darnell Mooney playing together on the same field. Defenses would be scared to death.
When discussing the actual possibility, it becomes more complicated. While Seattle might be willing to deal the receiver, the price tag to get him figures to be high. He finished last season with 967 yards and 12 touchdowns and was a Pro Bowler in 2020. The Seahawks will likely set the bar at a 1st round pick. After all the aggressive trades the Chicago Bears have made, they don’t have the currency to do something like that.
Poles would have to find a way to knock that price down.
Maybe he includes a player in the deal. Somebody the Seahawks would like. Either way, this is at least one more option that could be on the market. Other teams could also explore Metcalf, and that would serve as a great distraction, allowing the Bears to scoop up their receiver help elsewhere.
