The Chicago Bears began preparations for their Week 11 game this Sunday in Atlanta against the Falcons. Chicago will look to end a three-game losing streak as their offense has been averaging over 30 despite their defense allowing an average of 36 points during that span. One question on offense, especially with the Bears’ rebuilding, has been the lack of playing time for wide receivers N’Keal Harry and Velus Jones Jr, as both players were inactive against the Detroit Lions.

Harry and Jones Provide More Upside and Have More Long-Term Value For The Bears Than Other Wide Receivers

During the previous offseason, general manager Ryan Poles was criticized extensively due to his inability to add an elite pass-catcher to assist with quarterback Justin Fields’ growth in his second season. Despite not acquiring a top-level wide receiver, Poles did add some players at the position, both veterans, and rookies, before the start of training camp. Chicago’s general manager signed receivers Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Dante Pettis while trading for harry and drafting Jones.

Chicago’s two wide receivers missed the start of the season with injuries as Jones made his debut in Week 4 while Harry was activated for the team’s Week 7 win over the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, the Bears’ rookie pass-catcher and punt returner struggled in October as he fumbled two punts and dropped a potential 45-yard pass from Fields. Jones, who is the fastest player on Chicago’s offense, has failed to avoid making costly mistakes which resulted in him being inactive for the previous two games.

Although Jones’ struggles led to him being inactive, especially with the acquisition of Chase Claypool, Harry didn’t warrant being a healthy inactive against the Lions. The former Patriots’ first-round selection recorded a reception of 15-yards or longer in each of his first two games with the Bears, including a 17-yard touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite Harry’s success and specialty as a big-body passing target, Chicago’s coaching staff listed him as inactive against the Lions due to run-blocking needs.

Pettis and St. Brown have received more playing time than Jones and Harry, even though they were initially expected fifth and sixth on the depth chart. Although they have proven reliable as run-blockers at the wide receiver position, the former Packer and former 49er have combined for seven receptions for only 45 yards in the last four games. Jones was sidelined to his struggles holding onto the football, while St. Brown was active against the Lions despite having a game-ending drop against the Dolphins the previous week.

St. Brown and Pettis are almost identical as wide receivers and in their role on offense. It is unlikely that both players will factor into the Bears’ long-term future beyond 2022 or 2023. Harry and Jones have the potential to factor into Chicago’s rebuild, as one is a former first-round talent while the rookie pass-catcher has displayed an ability to make gain significant yards on offense. Despite the drops and fumbles, the Bears’ rookie wide receiver has three receptions and three rushing attempts, with all but one of those touches being less than five yards. In goal-line situations, Jones has been a threat with pre-snap motions as he has scored on a nine-yard reception, while as a decoy has assisted in Fields scoring a rushing touchdown.

Having Jones and Harry Play With Provide Chicago’s Offense With Flexibility and Fields with His Growth As A Passer

Although Pettis and St. Brown have contributed as run-blockers for Chicago’s league-leading rushing offense, they fail to provide value in the Bears’ passing game moving forward. The wide receivers playing for the rest of the season should be Claypool, Harry, Pringle, Jones, and Darnell Mooney, with Pettis serving as punt returner if the job isn’t given back to the rookie. Fields has proven to be a touchdown-generating quarterback, but he has yet to grow as a passer, as he has only recorded one game this season with 200 passing yards or more.

Other than Pettis’ two touchdown catches that combined for 91 yards, he has only 85 yards on ten receptions this season, including three drops of passes that would have been for 15 yards or more. St. Brown, although leading the Bears’ receiver position with receptions during the first four weeks of the season, has only recorded five catches in the last five games. With opposing defenses looking to stop Fields from scrambling and most pass coverage dedicated to Mooney and Claypool, St. Brown and Pettis’ inability to provide production is concerning.

Harry and Pringle have a better chance of creating production behind Claypool and Mooney as they have done so during their careers. Both veteran wide receivers have had seasons of 30 receptions or more with their previous teams. Jones, although currently unreliable as a downfield passing option, still can be a threat as his speed allows him to be a difference-maker on shorter play designs, including screens and swing routes.

Having flexibility beyond Mooney and Claypool at the receiver position matters as Fields can make more significant plays through passing by having Jones, Harry, and Pringle serve in specialty roles. In upcoming games, opposing defenses will look to defend against the second-year quarterback’s ability to scramble to generate game-changing plays and force him to throw the ball. It is easier for Harry, who can utilize his size to win matchups, while Jones’ speed can create separation and confusion, which allows Fields to find more open targets in the passing offense.

With the focus of the remainder of the season on Fields’ development as a quarterback and talent evaluations of the rest of the roster, Chicago needs to give playing time to Harry and Jones to determine what role they have long-term. Both players possess traits Pettis and St. Brown do not have and can provide more value with the Bears’ passing offense. There are seven games left in the 2022 season for Chicago, and the front office needs to determine if Jones and Harry have a role beyond 2022, given the draft capital used to bring them onto the roster.