The last seven weeks of the 2023 regular season are very important for a lot of people on the Chicago Bears. Head coach Matt Eberflus could be coaching for his job and quarterback Justin Fields still has to prove that he is worth holding onto as the long-term starter.
The Bears have not shown the improvement this season many people thought they were capable of, which could lead to some major changes in the offseason. Regardless of how things shake out, general manager Ryan Poles will have a chance to further transform the roster this offseason.
There is a chance he has two top-five selections to make in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears not only have their pick, they own the first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers, which is trending toward being first overall. On top of that, the team is projected to be near the top of the league in cap space as well.
Poles was not afraid to spend money this past offseason and will be in a position to do it again. He addressed one major hole ahead of the trade deadline, acquiring defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders and signing him to a long-term contract.
While figuring out the quarterback situation will be their No. 1 priority in the offseason, it isn’t the team’s biggest weakness. In the opinion of Matt Holder of Bleacher Report, the Bears’ biggest weakness is at wide receiver.
Luckily for them, there is an elite prospect at the top of the draft, Marvin Harrison Jr., they could target. Free agency also has some solid options, as Holder suggested the team look to poach a key offensive player from the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, it could surprise some people that Holder’s suggestion isn’t Tee Higgins. Instead, he believes the Bears should look to snag veteran slot receiver Tyler Boyd to pair with D.J. Moore on the perimeter.
“It’s no secret that Chicago will be looking for wide receivers this offseason, especially since Darnell Mooney is an impending free agent. Boyd could be a good second option in the slot with DJ Moore serving as the No. 1 on the outside.
While the 29-year-old won’t be the biggest name on the market, he’s been productive throughout his career with over 750 receiving yards and at least four touchdowns every year from 2018 to 2022. He should cross those thresholds this season too, logging 417 yards and two scores through nine games heading into the weekend,” wrote Holder.
Boyd has been a steady target for Joe Burrow over the last few seasons and should be able to cash in a nice contract as a free agent. He would be a solid replacement for Darnell Mooney, should he seek a deal elsewhere in free agency.
A second-round pick out of Pittsburgh in 2016, Boyd has been the No. 3 option behind Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase in recent seasons. However, whenever he has been called upon for a larger role, he has answered the call.
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