Bears' rumored in interest in wide receiver Mike Evans proved to be nothing more than wishful thinking

One of the top names in free agency is off the board before we even get the action started in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver Mike Evans. After agreeing to terms on two-year, $52 million deal to return to Tampa Bay, the expected top wide receiver that could have been on the free agent market […]

Kole Noble — Chicago Bears News Writer
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Buccaneers WR Mike Evans
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One of the top names in free agency is off the board before we even get the action started in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver Mike Evans.

After agreeing to terms on two-year, $52 million deal to return to Tampa Bay, the expected top wide receiver that could have been on the free agent market is instead crossed off the list for many teams around the league.

The Chicago Bears were one of those teams many expected to be interested in the future Pro Football Hall of Famer but that was reportedly not the case.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, "multiple teams had Mike Evans on their free agent wide receiver board and were hoping to land him in free agency". Russini noted the following teams who showed interest according to her team sources: the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It's slightly surprising to see the Bears' not attached to that list of teams interested in the five-time Pro Bowler but perhaps it's a sign of what the team is actually looking for at the position this offseason.

The Bears already have a bonafide number one wide receiver in DJ Moore and it's rare to see a team pursue two top paid players at that position, it just doesn’t make since long-term financially. Look at the Cincinnati Bengals, for example, who are struggling to keep Ja'Marr Chase AND Tee Higgins together in their long-term plans.

While it would have been incredible to see Evans in a Bears' uniform next season on the opposite side of the formation from Moore, it genuinely was never a real possibility as much as the fans wanted to see it come true.

The Bears are still 100 percent in the market to land a wide receiver at some point this offseason, but that addition will likely be as a lesser known option to serve as a true number two wide receiver that would be an upgrade over Darnell Mooney. Here's some more realistic options the Bears could explore in free agency.

Top Free Agent WRs the Bears SHOULD Be Interested In

Curtis Samuel

A lesser-known name who has some experience working alongside Moore during their time with the Carolina Panthers is Curtis Samuel. After a solid 2023 season as the Washington Commanders' number three option in the passing game, Samuel managed to rack up 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns. Compare that to Mooney's 31 receptions for 414 yards and one touchdown in 2023 as the Bears' number two option. Samuel also adds a dual-threat in his ability to work in the run game as well on sweeps and designed carries that wasn’t utilized as much last season under then-offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Tyler Boyd

Another player who will be on the market that was over shadowed by two players ahead of him on the roster looking to emerge as a legitimate number two option is Tyler Boyd. After two 1,000 yard seasons in 2018 and 2019, Boyd's production slowed playing behind Chase and Higgins. However, he's still been consistently putting up 600+ yard seasons and multi-touchdown seasons since 2019. The Bears should consider giving Boyd a shot to finally prove himself once again.

Josh Reynolds

One player the Bears could pry from a division rival on the open market could be Josh Reynolds who's coming off five touchdown season in 2023. Reynolds has prior connections to new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron during their time with the Rams and could find a new home in Chicago remaining in the same number two role he's steadily improved in over the past two seasons with the Detroit Lions.

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