How the Chicago Bears could make the best move of the offseason by signing free agent Pro-Bowler
The Chicago Bears could sign a former Pro-Bowler to a free agent deal and it could be the best move of the offseason. Earlier this week, NFL.com suggested that Chicago has one of the biggest roster holes in the NFL at the wide receiver position. From NFL.com: Hamstrung by a miserable salary cap situation and […]
The Chicago Bears could sign a former Pro-Bowler to a free agent deal and it could be the best move of the offseason.
Earlier this week, NFL.com suggested that Chicago has one of the biggest roster holes in the NFL at the wide receiver position.
Hamstrung by a miserable salary cap situation and lacking draft assets, new GM Ryan Poles eschewed calls to pair Darnell Mooney with a big-name weapon. Instead, in free agency, the Bears tossed bodies at the situation, hoping to unearth a gem. Chicago added Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Tajae Sharpe and Dante Pettis. Not exactly a who's who of pass catchers. They drafted Velus Jones Jr. in the third round. He will be asked to play a significant role from the jump. Mooney is a stud. But the rest of the veteran crew doesn't do much to help Justin Fields make a Year 2 leap in a new offense.
Fortunately for the Bears, there's a potential future Hall of Famer still available in free agency.
Julio Jones, a seven-time Pro-Bowler, is still a free agent after being released by the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason.
That's likely because Jones, who turned 33 earlier this year, didn't make much of an impact during his lone season in Nashville.
The former Alabama star managed just 434 yards on 31 receptions (with one touchdown) in 10 games last season. Jones battled injuries throughout most of the season, including a hamstring injury that caused a lengthy absence.
Jones, however, is still a quality NFL wide receiver who has some good years left (assuming he can stay healthy).
In fact, Jones actually had a better PFF grade last season than Odell Beckham Jr. And OBJ would be a premier free agent this offseason if not for the torn ACL he suffered in Super Bowl LVI.
Jones could be in line for a bounceback season. I don't think he's going to return to his 2015 form when he finished with over 1,800 receiving yards, but I could see him topping 1,000 yards and maybe finishing in the 1,100 range. Remember, Jones is just two years removed from a season that saw him catch 99 passes for 1,394 yards. If he can stay healthy, he can still be close to that same guy.
And if Jones ends up having a bounceback season, it could make him one of the best values of the entire offseason.
However, even if Jones doesn't stay healthy and he resembles the wide receiver we saw with the Titans last year, he could still be an important player for the Bears.
Chicago is a team in transition with a young quarterback. Having a veteran like Jones to show other wide receivers how to prepare and to help quarterback Justin Fields develop could be an invaluable resource.
This is a move that makes too much sense for the Bears. Chicago has a clear need and Jones is available. Why not make it happen?
Featured image via Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
