The Bears are being advised to acquire a former Raiders starting wide receiver as a potential replacement for Claypool.
The Chicago Bears are currently exploring the possibility of adding an experienced wide receiver to their roster, particularly after trading away Chase Claypool. Recent NFL rumors suggest there might be an ideal candidate available in the open market.
Following the conclusion of Week 6 games, the NFL experts at Bleacher Report identified potential "add now" targets for each of the 32 teams. They singled out Bryan Edwards, a former third-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders, as a cost-effective option for the Bears to strengthen their receiving corps.
During his last regular season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Edwards caught just three passes in seven games. However, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver had a more promising performance when he was a 12-game starter for the Raiders in 2021, accumulating nearly 600 receiving yards. Notably, Edwards won't turn 25 until next month, making him a potential long-term asset.
Bleacher Report mentioned, "It'd be worth the investment to see what the 2020 third-round pick can do on a one-year deal and determine if he can be part of the team's future."
Despite trading away Claypool, the Bears still have some depth in their receiving corps. D.J. Moore serves as their established No. 1 receiver, and while Darnell Mooney has faced challenges, he functions as a quality No. 2 receiver. Additionally, the emergence of fourth-round rookie Tyler Scott, who saw increased playing time in Week 6, is essential for the Bears' future at wide receiver.
However, with Equanimeous St. Brown landing on injured reserve, the Bears might be inclined to add more experienced depth to their receiving rotation. Edwards would provide a traditional possession receiver to complement their smaller, faster starting receivers. His skills as a run-blocker, demonstrated during his tenure with the Raiders, would also be valuable after losing St. Brown.
Considering that the Bears could likely sign Edwards for the veteran minimum salary, bringing him in as a rotational piece offers an opportunity to see if he can make the most of a fresh start.
Nevertheless, it's important to note that the Bears may not be actively pursuing additional receivers at this time, particularly with starting quarterback Justin Fields potentially sidelined for several weeks due to a dislocated right thumb. With Fields considered "doubtful" to play against the Raiders in Week 7, undrafted rookie Tyson Bagent is expected to make his first career NFL start.
While Bagent has defied expectations thus far, unseating veterans like P.J. Walker and Nathan Peterman, the transition from a raw rookie to leading the offense is a formidable challenge. It may be prudent for the Bears to evaluate Bagent's strengths and limitations before considering further additions to their receiving corps.
| POLL | ||
17 OCTOBRE | 32 ANSWERS The Bears are being advised to acquire a former Raiders starting wide receiver as a potential replacement for Claypool. Are the Bears in need of another WR? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 62.5 % |
| No | 12 | 37.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
