Right now the search for another Chicago Bears breakout star is ongoing. At present only Jordan Howard fits that profile, at least on offense. If this team is going to make it happen with their new quarterbacks, they need somebody else to step up. Will it happen? Well upon scouring the NFL community, the same name keeps coming up.
That being emerging wide receiver Cameron Meredith. He’s become quite the story over the past two years. A former quarterback at Illinois State, he switched to wide receiver midway through college. Intrigued by his mix of size and athleticism, the Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2015. From there he battled his way onto the roster.
Then in 2016 he took another step. With Kevin White injured, Meredith became the #2 guy opposite Alshon Jeffery. Over the course of the year he showed massive improvement and finished with a team-high 888 yards. Could the third year be his true coming out party?
Chicago Bears breakout star role reserved for Meredith?
His name got a big mention on the NFL Network during their “Good Morning Football” segment. It’s explained just how good the receiver was down the stretch last year and how he’s poised to take that next step to become THE guy for Mike Glennon or Mitch Trubisky.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
What’s fascinating about that list is the other receivers involved. They’re all big names, sure. However, most of them are attached to big quarterbacks. Jordan Nelson had Aaron Rodgers. Julian Edelman had Tom Brady. Andrew Luck, Eli Manning, Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees. It’s no coincidence those receivers were so good down the stretch.
Bucking the trend
Only Meredith was the anomaly. He made that list despite catching those passes from Matt Barkley. Remember him? The guy who started last season as the third-stringer? This only reinforces the belief that Meredith is poised for bigger things in 2017.
It’s not just the main experts who believe in him either. Yahoo Sports fantasy gurus are urging people to buy in on him for their leagues.
“It’s silly to believe rusted-out Volvo Victor Cruz, Kendall Wright or perpetual disappointment Kevin White leapfrog Meredith. He will be Mike Glennon’s, or Mitch Trubisky’s, main man. Similar to another former QB, Terrelle Pryor, he is just now coming into his own as a WR. Keep in mind, Alshon Jeffery’s 22.5 percent targets share (7.8 per game in ’16) is up for grabs. Odds are strong he attracts 22-25 of the team’s looks. Throw in the fact the Bears will chase many deficits and the math says it’s conceivable he finishes with 70-plus receptions, 1,000-1,200 yards and 5-7 TDs.”
If this comes to pass, conversations will begin to start about Meredith being one of the best hidden gems the Bears have discovered since the dawn of the millennium. If some of their other high profile picks start to elevate along with him? This team will be in business.
