Bears Free Agent Targets: Wide receiver options who could look to join DJ Moore and Rome Odunze in Chicago
The Chicago Bears could be an active team in free agency once the new league year begins on March 12th and players can begin signing with new teams.The obvious needs to address this offseason come from the trenches on the offensive and defensive fronts. Another key need that might present itself is at the wide […]
The Chicago Bears could be an active team in free agency once the new league year begins on March 12th and players can begin signing with new teams.
The obvious needs to address this offseason come from the trenches on the offensive and defensive fronts. Another key need that might present itself is at the wide receiver position depending on the future of Keenan Allen.
The Bears have two solidified options in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze on the outside. Outside of those two, the rest of the room consists of Tyler Scott, Samori Toure, Maurice Alexander, and John Jackson. Reinforcements need to be added to the room, and here are some top free agents who fit what the Bears should be looking for.
Darius Slayton
It seems like the New York Giants will finally be moving on from their former 5th-round pick who's started 66 games over the last six seasons. Darius Slayton doesn't quite fill the need in the slot, but there's a possibility that Ben Johnson uses DJ Moore in the "power-slot" role that Amon-Ra St. Brown held in Detroit.
If that's the case, Slayton's play-style on the outside offers the unit a new flair to work with given his downfield speed. In his career, 17 of Slayton's 21 touchdowns were 20+ yard scores, including six that were 40+ yard touchdowns.
Slayton has been incredibly underrated, has been an exceptional teammate, and could provide good value to the Bears' offense. He's still 28-years-old and a three-year deal could tie him to Chicago as a reliable third option at the position.
Hollywood Brown
The one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs never worked out as many envisioned for Marquise "Hollywood" Brown. A shoulder injury suffered in the preseason opener forced Brown to miss the majority of the regular season, but even after returning he wasn't much of a threat in the offense.
The former first-round pick has been known for his speed, something that's never been lost in his game, and something the Bears' offense desperately lacked in 2024.
Brown will have plenty of suitors looking to capitalize on that rare skillset, including some notable contenders such as the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills, which could drive his price up higher than Chicago would be willing to spend for a WR3.
TuTu Atwell
Instead, here's another slot target who will be a much cheaper option. TuTu Atwell quickly became the forgotten man in Sean McVay's offense with the Los Angeles Rams but still had a career-high in receptions and yards in 2024.
Atwell's main struggle has been with his consistency and turning targets into catches since being drafted in the second-round and he's never quite lived up to expectation.
But, as a rotational WR3/4, he could be exactly what some teams are looking for to round out their wide receiver room. He could be a low-cost option for the Bears and see what happens working and developing with a different play-caller like Johnson.
Keenan Allen
It's looking unlikely that Keenan Allen will return for a second season in Chicago, but never say never, especially if Caleb Williams and DJ Moore continue advocating for the veteran to be back in 2025.
Allen will cost the Bears a pretty penny and will be 33-years-old next season, so there's plenty of concern. But he's still the guy that led the team with seven receiving touchdowns in 2024 and was a chain-mover for the offense.
There's still some unfinished business and meat left on the bone to move on so soon. I'd love to see Allen back for Williams' sake but it would take a lot of convincing to the front office and coaching staff to bring him back.
Greg Dortch
This has been a player I've always been waiting to see breakout, but he's never really got a fair chance to do so with the Arizona Cardinals. As a rotational piece, Dortch has shown some flashes and a bigger role elsewhere will do him some good.
He's never been one to light up a stat sheet, but his value stretches well beyond the box scores. Dortch would also make for a solid returner for the Bears with Deandre Carter set to walk in free agency.
Dortch ended his season on a high note scoring two touchdowns against the San Francisco 49ers and showed the Bears what he can do facing the team over the past two seasons.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Another outside option if DJ Moore moves to the "power-slot" role that won't break the bank for the Bears is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Westbrook-Ikhine is coming off his best NFL season despite the lost year for the Tennessee Titans where he scored nine touchdowns. There was literally a stretch of the season where it seemed like he was a lock to score every game.
The Titans would ideally like to retain the fan-favorite but Westbrook-Ikhine should make the business decision of finding a greener pasture, and ideally one with more success and a secure quarterback position for once in his career.
Bears WR Rome Odunze was given an enticing offseason offer that could help him in a big way going into his second NFL season
This could be great for his development.
