What is the top priority for the Chicago Bears brass this 2018 off-season? GM Ryan Pace completed his first major task in hiring a new head coach. Now the focus shifts to how he and Matt Nagy will reshape the roster. Given Nagy’s background on offense, it stands to reason where the focus will be for this team. That’s finding Mitch Trubisky better wide receivers.
Suffice to say the rookie didn’t have the ideal cast in 2017. Kendall Wright led the way with 614 yards. The next closest was Josh Bellamy with 376. Not exactly a tandem to be feared. Admittedly the knee injury to Cameron Meredith in preseason hampered much of their plans but it also exposed how thin Chicago was to begin with at the position.
It’s clear Pace is bent on changing that come next year and is wasting no time exploring possibilities. Of course there is free agency and the draft to come. Both could offer solutions to the problem. However, it’s important to remember this is Pace. He has never been one to shy away from the bold move.
Chicago Bears brass exploring trade availability of big receiver names
Trades are always a valuable practice in the NFL, but they can also be dangerous if not handled properly. To this point Pace has saved his biggest moves for the draft. Any time he’s made a deal outside of that was of the lower tier variety. That could change this off-season. A source informed me that Chicago has begun exploring the possible market for this spring including three big receiving names.
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“Bears are exploring multiple avenues to land a top wide receiver. Plan on talking to Cincinnati, Dallas and Denver about their star receivers.”
This undoubtedly means A.J. Green, Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas are the three names being considered. This shouldn’t be a surprise. Both Green and Bryant turn 30-years old in 2018. Thomas turned 30 in December of last year. Their respective teams may consider moving on from them in order to gain salary cap relief. A trade would make sense since they not only get the money back but they also get a draft pick too.
Don’t panic though. Pace is not the type to fork over a large package for an aging receiver. The source made it clear the Bears are feeling out whether a late round choice might be enough.
“They won’t give up top picks. They are eyeing late round picks and believe Dez and Thomas could be released.”
Late rounder would be an acceptable gamble if possible
Green, Bryant and Thomas may be on the down slope of their respective career but this doesn’t mean they can be big solutions to the Bears’ problem. Larry Fitzgerald was 34 this past season and went over 1,100 yards. So there’s good reason to think Chicago could get an extended run out of either of those names presuming they can stay healthy.
Of the trio Green would likely be the most appealing. His deep threat capability is something the Bears desperately need.
Problem is he’s likely the one who will be hardest to get. With Marvin Lewis still head coach the odds of him parting ways with Green are hard to envision. Thomas had a quieter than expected year with 949 yards. In fairness the Broncos have had quarterback issues. That said it feels like there is serious speculation that Denver might be willing to move on.
Perhaps the easiest name to acquire might actually end up being Bryant. Of course this is due in large part to two factors: his reputation for being a head case and his declining production. Throw in an expensive contract to top it off? Dallas’ patience with him is certainly wearing thin. Maybe a fresh start is what he needs.
Nothing is set in stone at this point, but it’s clear the Bears are exploring every possible option.