Free agency doesn’t offer any solutions for the Chicago Bears at wide receiver. The draft doesn’t look overly strong, either. If GM Ryan Poles wants to make a splash, it feels like his only avenue is the trade market. Yet he already did that last year by acquiring Chase Claypool. Would he be willing to double-dip? Probably the most prominent name people have attached to is DeAndre Hopkins. The former All-Pro appears destined for an exit after a strong run with the Arizona Cardinals. What nobody knows is the price tag it would take to get him.
Mike Jurecki, who covers the Cardinals for Arizona Football Daily, shed some light on this. It is believed the cost will be a 2nd round pick and either a conditional pick or a player.
It’s hard to imagine the Bears paying this. Hopkins will be 31 years old in June. He’s missed 15 games over the past two seasons with injuries and suspension. He hasn’t cracked 1,000 yards since 2020. Not to mention he has one of the most bloated contracts in the league. It is possible he can regain his All-Pro form, but spending multiple picks to find out when you’re still rebuilding makes no sense.
DeAndre Hopkins wouldn’t want to play in Chicago anyway.
That isn’t a slight to Justin Fields or anything. It’s more because he likely would prefer to join a team ready to contend. As said before, Hopkins is in his 30s. He doesn’t have many peak years left. He’s never participated in a conference championship game, let alone a Super Bowl. This trade might be his last chance to join an established team that can get him there. The Bears aren’t there yet. They might be in another year or two. Maybe then Poles will be ready to take such a swing.
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It is far more likely the Bears will settle for signing a notable free agent and then dabbling in the draft. While not flashy by comparison, it would improve their depth and give Fields more options. DeAndre Hopkins is a really good player. He is the type of dynamic weapon a young quarterback would love. Sadly the timing isn’t right. Chicago fans must try to stay patient. Poles isn’t ignorant of the team’s situation. He knows more weapons are needed. It is about being smart with your resources.
Paying a ton of money AND giving up draft picks for an older receiver when the Bears are looking for young talent? No f’n way!
No way in hell
Free agency doesn’t offer any solutions, Eric? I disagree. There’s no home runs in free agency at wide receiver, but there are some depth pieces and I really like DJ Chark I think for the right price he would be a good third fourth receiver and he’s pretty quality, there’s others similar to Chark that would also help not interested in Hopkins because he’s older and only going to decline .
Too old to part with that kind of draft capital. Even if they can trade the #1 and get a second rounder for it (and thus 2 second round picks) it’s too much. I’d deal a 3rd.
I’m in the no older and overpriced players boat. Trade down and accumulate as many picks as possible. If they aren’t going after Anderson then double trade back and land JSN. There are less quality WRs in this draft and for me he’s by and far this years WR1 and Justin’s buddy. There are a ton of really good quality OL players in this draft in the second round which we will hopefully have at least 2 picks there. Plus we should be able to get 1 or 2 starters in FA. People that are clamoring to fix the line… Read more »