Chicago Bears Named A Prime Landing Spot For Calvin Ridley

There were several problems with the Chicago Bears offense in 2021. Blaming it on any single person seems pointless. It was like multiple holes in a dam. They all contributed to the end result of a destructive flood. Matt Nagy and his staff were one such problem. Now they're out of the picture. The next step for new GM Ryan Poles is plugging the other holes. Among the biggest is the wide receiver position. The only member of the group managed to top 600 yards this season. That was Darnell Mooney. Everybody else came in well below that mark, including Allen Robinson. Now that he and others are pending free agents, the Bears are left with a challenge ahead. To remake the wide receiver room into something that can help Justin Fields excel. That might include a bold move on the trade market. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler mentioned former Atlanta Falcons 1st round pick, Calvin Ridley, as a name to watch.

"After stepping away from football for 12 games to work on his mental health, Ridley's future remains uncertain. But he is knocking on the door of top-10-receiver status when on the field, and his $11.6 million option in 2022 easily could be flipped into a long-term deal. Atlanta needs the draft capital and the cap savings. A few sleepers to watch here: Buffalo, Chicago and New England."

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Ridley is one of the most interesting stories of the 2022 offseason.

He was dominant for the Atlanta Falcons two years ago, posting 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns. Through the first five games this past season, he had 281 yards and two scores. Then to the shock of many, the 27-year old stepped away from the team. He cited mental health issues as the reason for his decision. After several months, it appears Ridley is prepared to return with an understanding that Atlanta would trade him elsewhere for a fresh start.

He would fit with Fields quite well given his deep threat capability. The Chicago Bears can pay the $11 million left in his rookie contract and would buy themselves a year to potentially secure him to a long-term deal. What it comes down to is a couple of factors. How committed he is to playing again and how much it would take to get him from the Falcons. They don't have a 1st round pick this year and only five picks total. So they aren't equipped to offer any significant packages. However, it might be worth the calculated risk if Ridley can be had for a Day 2 pick (2nd or 3rd round). Something to watch over the next three months.