The Chicago Bears may have finally caught a break in the wide receiver market.
The wide receiver market entering 2023 was quite underwhelming, leaving the Chicago Bears with limited options to bolster their receiving corps for Justin Fields. Names like Jacobi Meyers, Mecole Hardman, and D.J. Chark were available, but all would likely come at a cost that exceeds their worth. GM Ryan Poles had hoped for a proven veteran name to become available via trade or release, with rumors circulating about DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, and Tee Higgins, but they all seemed unlikely.
Finally, the Bears have caught a break with insider Jordan Schultz reporting that the Tennessee Titans have released veteran receiver Robert Woods. The 30-year-old had averaged over 1,000 yards from 2018 through 2020 and had at least 500 in each of the past two seasons. Despite a season-ending knee injury, Woods still managed to record an impressive 527 yards last year, catching passes from three different quarterbacks. He is considered one of the better route runners in the NFL and a reliable security blanket on 3rd down.
Woods is exactly what the Chicago Bears need - a proven veteran with lots of playoff experience that can provide leadership. The team already has two talented youngsters in Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool, but they need a veteran presence. Woods was a crucial part of the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl championship run in 2021 and has a deep understanding of the offensive scheme Luke Getsy runs in Chicago, which is similar to what Sean McVay runs in L.A. This familiarity will make the transition smoother for Woods.
While Woods will turn 31 in April, he can still be an above-average target for the next season or two while the Bears work on improving other position groups. A trio of him, Claypool, and Mooney would be more than enough for Fields to work with if he gets better pass protection in 2023. Although Woods may not be the superstar that many Bears fans want, he is a solid player that can raise the floor for one of the team's weakest positions.
