Bears Could Be Close to Free Agency Home Run At Wide Receiver

It seems Ryan Pace is feeling a little greedy these days. The Chicago Bears free agency plan undoubtedly included wide receivers. Such is the byproduct of having the worst passing offense in the NFL in 2017. Most expected the team to be intent on getting one of the top receivers on the market and then likely a second tier guy. It's not a bad plan at all. Combined with the anticipated return of Cameron Meredith from injury, it would make for a considerable improvement from last year. Except that doesn't seem to be good enough for Pace. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are in relentless pursuit of not one but two of the top receiving targets on the free agent market.

"Multiple sources say the Bears have identified the Rams’ Sammy Watkins as their top target at arguably their greatest position of need — wide receiver. Watkins, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 draft by the Bills, has averaged 15.9 yards per catch in his career. For the sake of comparison, that’s more than a yard better than former Bear Alshon Jeffery. The Bears are also believed to have expressed interest in Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson, but he is coming off a torn ACL suffered in the season opener last year. Watkins would arrive healthy and as a certified speedster who would add a missing dimension to the offense."

Chicago Bears free agency chances to nab both are actually solid

This is a potentially huge development for the Bears. Watkins and Robinson are considered by far the two best wide receivers in free agency. If Chicago were able to land just one of them it would be considered a success. Is it possible they might be trying to go for the clean sweep? A source reached out to me with the answer.

"The Bears want both Watkins and Robinson. Can't really put a number on it so say 50-50 odds of getting Them."

Both receivers aren't even 26-years old yet. Despite their injury histories, they would present a monumental upgrade in talent for this Bears roster. Watkins had eight touchdowns last year and remains one of the more dangerous deep threats in the league. Robinson is a big body and a sharp route runner who can take over games at will. Their arrivals would erase the need to draft a receiver entirely, allowing the Bears to focus at other positions.