The Chicago Bears offense made great strides this season thanks mainly to a strong running game and the evolution of quarterback Justin Fields. That said, it’s still a unit with plenty of flaws. Most of them center around the passing game. Their last game against Green Bay marked the first time they’d crossed 250 yards through the air all season. That isn’t a recipe for success if they want to win a Super Bowl in the future. That is why many fans and media members are taking up the call for GM Ryan Poles to make some big move at wide receiver next spring.
Adding Chase Claypool was a nice first step. His talent is worth exploring. That said, the team still doesn’t have that genuine #1 target Fields can lean on. They must try to find it next year. It’s a fine idea. The problem is there are reasons to think it won’t happen.
1. The free agent class is barren
The Bears have over $100 million in salary cap space next year. Naturally, that would give them the green light to throw money at the best receiver on the market. Unfortunately, the list of options is rather pitiful. Jacobi Meyers, Mecole Hardman, Allen Lazard, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and D.J. Chark are considered the five best expected to be available. That is a list of 2s and 3s at best. Chicago already has enough of those. There is no sense in overpaying for any of them. So this means they should get their guy in the draft.
2. The draft is weak
Early projections have around ten receivers in the top 100 picks in the 2023 draft. That may sound like a lot. It isn’t. Keep in mind 16 went in the 2022 draft and 15 in 2021. This should help showcase the general lack of star power and depth the incoming class has. Quentin Johnston of TCU is the highest-ranked receiver among most draft experts right now. Many don’t believe he’s good enough to go in the top 10 picks. That should help illustrate how underwhelming this class is.
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3. Things look way better in 2024
Sometimes a team is rewarded for staying patient. Were the Chicago Bears to postpone their big move to 2024, they’re far more likely to be rewarded. Free agency will be headlined by Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Pittman Jr., Gabriel Davis, Mike Evans, and Tee Higgins. Then early projections have three receivers rated as top 10 prospects in the 2024 draft, led by Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr., Xavier Worthy of Texas, and Mario Williams of USC.
The Chicago Bears should not force the issue.
They’re going to invest in wide receivers in 2023. That much is obvious. It is merely a matter of how much. Everybody wants that big home run swing. Yet Poles’ trade for Claypool clearly signals that he feels the market isn’t conducive to such an idea. He is correct. Both free agency and the draft lack star power. It would be far wiser for him to focus on the positions of strength and bide his time. Add one or two guys with upside that can add depth while looking to upgrade other areas like the offensive line, tight end, and running back.
Remember, this team is not one off-season away from Super Bowl contention. Poles made his intentions of an extended rebuild clear from how he tore down the roster over the past several months. He’s committed to building the Chicago Bears the right way. That means mainly through the draft. Such things will take time. The worst thing he could do is try forcing the issue by throwing a ton of money or a high draft pick at somebody that doesn’t deserve it. The smart play would be to wait this thing out. The opportunity will be there.
