In 2024, Chicago Bears’ top wide receiver targets in free agency
Regarding what the Bears will do with the first overall pick, it appears that the writing is on the wall. Few observers and insiders don’t think Chicago will
Regarding what the Bears will do with the first overall pick, it appears that the writing is on the wall. Though few pundits and insiders disagree that Chicago will select quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears will still need to add wide receiver depth this offseason even if Justin Fields stays on as the starting quarterback.
In his first season with the Bears, DJ Moore had a stellar year, setting career highs in receiving yards (1,364), catches (96), and touchdowns (8). If the Bears decide not to re-sign him, they will be looking to pair him with a vertical threat downfield who can potentially fill the void left by Darnell Mooney. It’s safe to say that wide receiver is the Bears’ main position of need because the only other wideouts projected to be on the team are Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr.
These are the best wide receivers that Chicago might be able to sign when free agency opens.
Following four seasons in the Buffalo Bills organisation, wide receiver Gabriel Davis is preparing to explore his free agency options. Davis, who stands 6’2″ and weighs 225 pounds, would provide the Bears with a dependable large target to complement DJ Moore. Although Davis isn’t a WR1, by any means, Moore would benefit from his skills. His 1,629 career snaps of lining up wide and 443 career snaps in the slot align with the needs of the Bears offence. In 17 games in 2023, Davis ended up with 45 receptions for 746 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2022, he had his best season with 48 receptions for 836 yards and 7 touchdowns. Throughout his career, he has averaged 42.7 yards per game.
Davis combines strength, durability, and talent in a seamless manner. During his four years with the Bills, he has participated in 64 games (47 starts) and has never missed more than two in a season. He has additionally demonstrated his clutch play in important games. Due to injury, Davis was unable to participate in the playoffs after the 2023 campaign; however, he left his mark in previous postseasons, catching six touchdowns in seven career playoff games. The Bears can afford Spotrac’s projected market value of $13.6 million per season.
Wide receiver Marquise Brown is generally expected to be available because it is unlikely that the Arizona Cardinals will apply the franchise tag to him. Brown, the Oklahoma native who the Baltimore Ravens selected with the 26th overall pick in 2019, was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a 2021 first-round selection. The wide receiver himself requested the move because, according to him, he wasn’t content in Baltimore.
After arriving in Arizona, he saw Kyler Murray, his college quarterback, again. In 2024, following two mediocre seasons with the Cards, he’ll probably be playing for his third team.
Brown has a certain amount of promise. Like Darnell Mooney, he turns 27 in June and has already completed a season with 1,000 yards. Similar to Mooney, that occurred in 2021, as he finished with six touchdowns and 91 receptions for 1,008 yards (11.1 yards per catch). However, Brown has found the end zone far more often than Mooney. In 60 career games, Mooney has 11 receiving touchdowns; in 70 games, Brown has 28 touchdown receptions.
In the previous season, Brown caught 51 passes on 101 targets for 574 yards (11.3 yards per catch) and four touchdowns, marking the lowest catch percentage of his career (50.5%). To be fair, Murray missed eight games last season due to a knee injury, so the Cardinals were without their starting quarterback for a while. Brown should be able to command a season salary of between $14 and $15 million. He’s a good option, but there are undoubtedly better and more economical options available this offseason.
Michael Pittman Jr., a wideout, recently concluded his career year with the Indianapolis Colts. Therefore, it wouldn’t be shocking if the 26-year-old receiver was awarded the franchise tag. Indianapolis wouldn’t be foolish to not tag or re-sign him, in fact. In the unlikely event that the Colts choose not to tag him, he will undoubtedly be among the most sought-after names among wide receivers.
Pittman caught 109 passes and scored four touchdowns to finish with a career-high 1,152 receiving yards in 16 games during the previous season. Throughout his four-year career, it was his second 1,000-yard campaign. With 975 yards at the end of 2022, he was just 75 yards short of a third campaign with 1,000 yards. Given Indianapolis’ quarterback turnover over the past few seasons, his stats are very striking.
