Bears can now reunite a recently released wide receiver with his former coach in free agency
The Chicago Bears have been quiet to start the third day of free agency on the first day of the new league year. That could soon change after a major decision was made by an AFC team that unfortunately had no other choice but to make. The Los Angeles Chargers recently released wide receiver Mike […]
The Chicago Bears have been quiet to start the third day of free agency on the first day of the new league year.
That could soon change after a major decision was made by an AFC team that unfortunately had no other choice but to make. The Los Angeles Chargers recently released wide receiver Mike Williams to fulfill their cap compliance before the start of the new league year at 4:00pm EST.
The Bears have yet to make any additions to their wide receiver room in free agency despite the lack of depth behind D.J. Moore. Could the Bears be on the hunt for the now available big play wide receiver?
The only downside to pursuing Williams on the open market is that he's coming off of a torn ACL he suffered in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. Since it was an early season-ending injury, Williams would more than likely be back by the start of the 2024 season, but at 29-years-old there's even more caution about bringing him in.
Make no mistake about it, Williams is a top deep threat in the league when playing at his best but injuries have caught up to him since signing his extension with the Chargers ahead of the 2022 regular season. Over the past two seasons, Williams has missed 18 total games. During his last full season, Williams had a career-high 76 receptions and 1,146 receiving yards along with 9 touchdowns.
Williams also has a connection that was recently hired by the Bears that could make this fit even more enticing for the front office to go after. Bears' new wide receivers coach Chris Beatty will be joining Matt Eberflus' staff this season after spending the last three seasons as wide receivers coach for the Chargers.
Beatty has tons of familiarity with working alongside Williams while having a true number one option ahead of him on the depth chart in Keenan Allen. In 2021, Williams and Allen each had 1,000+ yards and 5+ touchdowns together on the same offense.
Newly hired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron also saw the bulk of his offensive success with the Seattle Seahawks by having two top-tier wide receivers in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett who each ranked in the Top-25 in receiving yards from 2021-23.
The last time the Bears had two 1,000 yard wide receivers in the same season was in 2013 with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall. The Bears' offense could reach that kind of potential once again if they pair Williams with Moore on offense.
Chicago Bears 2024 free agency tracker for all new signings, re-signings and trade updates
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