GM Ryan Poles put the Chicago Bears in a terrific position to absorb a young quarterback with the recent trade for Keenan Allen. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver joins D.J. Moore to form one of the best tandems the organization has ever had in franchise history. If both stay healthy, they both should have no problem eclipsing 1,000 yards in 2024. However, depth is another story. Beyond Moore and Allen, things look dicey. Only Velus Jones and Tyler Scott have any credible presence. The recent signing of Dante Pettis hardly moved the needle. It still feels like this team needs another body that can compete for that third spot.
Sure enough, rumblings have surfaced that the Bears are sniffing around an overlooked free agent. It is Quez Watkins. The Southern Miss alum was a 6th round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020. After a quiet rookie year, he made waves in 2021 with 647 yards. He seemed poised for another big step the following year. Sadly, his opportunities disappeared after the Eagles traded for A.J. Brown. Targets steadily declined, and an injury last season pushed him out of the picture entirely.
Watkins brings 4.35 speed to the table. He’d immediately help create more space for Moore and Allen with his deep threat ability.
The Chicago Bears’ interest in Watkins isn’t a surprise.
Assistant GM Ian Cunningham was with the Eagles in 2020 when they drafted the young receiver. He has in-depth knowledge of both the player and person the Bears would be getting. While his addition wouldn’t preclude the team from adding more in the draft, it would ease the necessity of grabbing one early. A trio of Moore, Allen, and Watkins would be formidable for any defense to deal with. This is without projecting the possibility that Scott takes a step forward from his promising flashes as a rookie.
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Ultimately, this comes down to what Watkins wants. The Chicago Bears aren’t the only teams interested in him. Rumors persist that Kansas City and Miami are among others sniffing around him. He may wish to go somewhere with a more established quarterback. Then again, he may target the best possible payday. Chicago still ranks fifth in salary cap space among NFL teams. They can afford his likely price tag. It will be interesting to see how determined they are to bring him aboard.
@jmscooby -‘
I wanted the Bears to draft him over me (Roquan) back then, too.
But, I just hope Edmunds can correct the issue of getting to the point of contact — a step late.
We’ll see.
I wouldn’t read much more into it than T Edmunds was available at the time and our scheme requires our MLB to cover the deep middle. Not many MLBs can, and I think you’ll see him make some plays this year. Sorry to say, but I wanted us to draft him over you.
If he wasn’t a FA at that exact time, we wouldn’t have spent that much, obviously.
@jmscooby —
The Tremaine Edmunds signing was a “wrong” move — especially at the price ($72 million).
That’s the point: spending big money on defense prior to establishing the offense (particularly the O-line) throws the rebuild timing out of sync.
It’s as @PoochPest says, the offense takes time to develop — a defense can come together much more quickly.
Does snyone here, doubt that?
TGena, we don’t want things to be the same. He’s going to solidify the OL this draft and protect his new QB.
@Tred —
Thanks again. I read the article and except for the error about the acquisition of Teven Jenkins — Ben Solak’s article made sense.
And again, you’re 100% right — winning solves everything. A winning record will make Ryan Poles the GM we all want.
But, this guy (Poles) is taking the strangest course to a winning record that I have seen, coming from Halas Hall.
And, knowing the history at Halas Hall — that’s saying something!
Enjoy the Pro Days!