With the Chicago Bears 3-6 and their playoff hopes fading, the focus of this 2021 season must shift. Primarily to one of evaluation. This is in regards to their younger players on the roster. The team has to know how many of them may or may not have a future with the organization. This is especially true for their 2021 draft class. Already they’ve gotten promising returns from Justin Fields, Larry Borom, and Khyiris Tonga. They are anxious to get Teven Jenkins back soon as well. He shouldn’t be the only one who gets an opportunity. Dazz Newsome is somebody the Bears must get back into the mix.
The 6th round pick out of North Carolina started his time in Chicago well. He looked sharp in minicamps, building a possible connection with Fields. Then everything fell apart. A bad fall resulted in the wide receiver breaking his collarbone. He would end up missing the next two months, not returning until August 2nd with training camp already in progress. It became apparent right away that the lost time had hurt his development speed. After failing to make any notable plays in the preseason, his fate was sealed.
The Bears waived him at the end of the month.
Since then he has wallowed on their practice squad. Given the state of things, the timing is right for the team to give him another chance. It’s not like the receiver position is overly productive at the moment. Damiere Byrd, their supposed 4th option, has just four catches for 29 yards. He has been a complete non-factor in the passing game.
Is it so crazy to think Newsome might be able to offer more? Not only was he a capable receiver at North Carolina but also a solid punt returner. Having him on the roster would give them more flexibility in case Jakeem Grant happens to get hurt. People haven’t been thrilled with his work in the return game of late anyway.
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Dazz Newsome putting his playmaking skills on display. #Bears pic.twitter.com/9okl3sMUef
— Matt Clapp (@DaBearNecess) August 29, 2021
Dazz Newsome must factor into Bears’ plans
Keep something in mind here. Of their top four receivers on the roster? Three of them will be free agents in 2022. Allen Robinson, Marquise Goodwin, and Byrd. There is a good chance Darnell Mooney will be the only viable option left when the dust settles. Most believe Robinson will leave while neither Goodwin nor Byrd look like long-term pieces. That makes wide receiver a huge need on paper.
This is why promoting Dazz Newsome makes even more sense. The Bears have to figure out if he can alter those plans at all. Could he become a strong complementary target for Fields? The two seemed to share a solid connection in minicamps. There are eight games left in the season. That offers a prime opportunity to give the rookie an extended look.
If it doesn’t work out? Oh well. If it does?
Then the Bears’ plans for the offseason might change. They could focus on other positions of need like the offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback. If nothing else, this move would add a little extra intrigue to a stretch of the season the might be a tough slog for Bears fans.
