After a 7-10 season in 2023, the Chicago Bears feel they are trending in the right direction. It feels like they are one more good off-season away from getting into the playoff conversation. GM Ryan Poles has set the team up beautifully in terms of resources. Chicago has over $80 million in projected cap space and holds the #1 and #9 picks in the 2024 draft. This is a golden opportunity for them to add serious blue-chip talent to their lineup. As always, it comes down to where the chips fall.
Greg Gabriel worked with the organization for a long time. He has connections around the league. He expects them to address several positions, including edge rusher and center. However, there is one in particular he sees them attacking more than once.
"If the Bears hold on to their number one overall pick and select a quarterback (personally, I feel they will trade the pick), they could very well select a receiver at the number nine slot. One of those top three receivers is sure to be there. If not, the next group of receivers includes Brian Thomas Jr. from LSU, who is another big X receiver with speed. Texas has two great receivers in Xavier Worthy and Adonal Mitchell. South Carolina's Xavier Legette is a favorite of many scouts, and Florida State's Keon Coleman is probably underrated. There is no question that good receivers will be available to the Bears well into the third round. In a perfect world, they get one in free agency and the other in the Draft."
It would make sense.
Chicago has more than enough money to go hunting for wide receiver help on the market. There is no shortage of options, too. Mike Evans, Calvin Ridley, Gabriel Davis, Tyler Boyd, and Curtis Samuel could all be available next month. Say the Bears add one of them and then secure Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze at #9 overall. Whoever ends up being the quarterback will be in a great situation.
The Chicago Bears remain an enigma going into the spring.
It is easy to project what they will likely do. The problem is Poles tends to swerve people when they least expect it. Nobody had him taking Darnell Wright in the 1st round last year. Nobody had him spending big on linebackers in free agency. Both decisions worked out well for the Bears. That should serve as a reminder it's unwise to assume anything with this GM. Still, what Gabriel says holds merit. Outside of D.J. Moore, they don't have much proven firepower at the receiver position. With a presumed rookie quarterback coming in, it makes sense to load up now.
As always, the Chicago Bears won't be the only team working hard to add the same players. They need some good fortune to go their way. A top receiver must be interested in signing with them, and another must slip to the #9 pick. We've seen many times how things go in unexpected directions. The key for Poles is to remain disciplined in his approach. He can't afford to overextend himself. Finding capable receivers is easier than other positions. All you have to do is consistently invest.
