The Bears are considering a potential acquisition of an "explosive" former first-round wide receiver.
The Chicago Bears are poised to bolster their offensive playmakers in the upcoming offseason, especially with the impending free agency of wide receiver Darnell Mooney.
One intriguing player on their radar is Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson. In a recent hypothetical trade scenario, Bleacher Report's Joe Tansey suggests that the Bears could offer a Day 3 draft pick to Washington in exchange for Dotson, a potentially valuable acquisition.
"Chicago needs to add one or two explosive playmakers to support their starting quarterback in 2024," Tansey noted on December 13. "With D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet already in place as their No. 1 wide receiver and tight end, respectively, the Bears are looking for complementary pieces, possibly through trades, and Jahan Dotson fits that profile."
Tansey emphasized that the Bears face a significant decision at the quarterback position between now and the next offseason, whether to stick with current starter Justin Fields or use one of their first-round draft picks to secure a potential franchise quarterback.
Regardless of their quarterback choice, Dotson could be a valuable addition to a team that already boasts playmakers like Moore and Kmet. Tansey suggested, "Chicago could utilize Dotson's downfield explosiveness to complement Moore and Kmet in the passing game."
Trading a Day 3 draft pick to Washington for a promising young wide receiver still on his rookie contract could be a compelling opportunity for Bears General Manager Ryan Poles. Even if the Commanders have specific demands for Dotson, it would make sense for the Bears to explore this possibility.
Taking a closer look at Dotson's statistics so far, the Commanders selected him with the 16th overall pick from Penn State in 2022, giving him two more years on his rookie contract, with the potential for a franchise tag afterward. His cap hit for next season is slightly over $4 million, increasing to over $5 million in 2025, according to Spotrac.
While Dotson's numbers in his first two NFL seasons may not be staggering, he has displayed promise as a potential solid No. 2 receiver alongside Moore. In his rookie year, Dotson played in 12 games (starting 10) and caught 35 passes for 523 yards, averaging 14.9 yards per reception, and scoring seven touchdowns. This season, through 13 games (12 starts), he has recorded 44 receptions for 458 yards, averaging 10.4 yards per catch, with four touchdowns. Although he hasn't developed a strong rapport with Washington's quarterback Sam Howell this season, Dotson continues to produce solid numbers.
Dotson is still a young talent, set to turn 24 in March 2024. While he may not consistently deliver enormous performances, his speed and big-play potential, coupled with his affordability, make him an enticing prospect for the Bears to keep a close eye on.
| POLL | ||
14 DECEMBRE | 60 ANSWERS The Bears are considering a potential acquisition of an "explosive" former first-round wide receiver. Should the Bears make a "splash" at WR this off-season? | ||
| Yes | 43 | 71.7 % |
| No | 17 | 28.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
