There has been a lot of speculation over the past week on social media with many of the NFL's top young wide receivers opting to miss their team's mandatory mini-camps. Terry McLaurin and DK Metcalf are both in the final years of their rookie contracts, and could hold out during training camp for either a new contract or to be traded to a new team. With the Bears still needing a top-level receiver, the team could propel their offense by trading for the Commanders' young wide receiver.

McLaurin's Ability To Create Separation Is Perfect For Justin Fields

If new Bears' general manager Ryan Poles were to acquire McLaurin from Washington, the addition of the explosive pass-catcher would immediately help with the growth of second-year quarterback Justin Fields. The biggest concern for Chicago heading into the 2022 season is the lack of improvements made on offense to help Fields. Poles' most significant offseason acquisitions on offense have been the free-agent signing of Bryon Pringle and the drafting of Velus Jones Jr.

Although Fields will also have receiver Darnell Mooney, tight end Cole Kmet, and running back David Montgomery, the addition of Pringle and Jones doesn't ensure a significant improvement at the receiver position. Potentially adding McLaurin would give the Bears' offense two 1,000-yard receivers, who are both capable of beating opposing defenders deep downfield. Having two deep-threat pass-catchers would be a perfect benefit for Fields, as one of his greatest strengths as a quarterback is his deep-ball accuracy. Through his first three seasons in the league, McLaurin has proven he can generate separation from defenders, regardless of who his quarterback is. Since 2019, the Commanders have had eight different quarterbacks, and despite the constant change at the quarterback position, their fourth-year receiver has recorded over 3,000 receiving yards and has 16 touchdown catches.

If Poles were to trade for McLaurin, Fields would be the most talented quarterback the wide receiver will have played with during his short NFL career. Chicago's young quarterback would have one of the fastest pass-catchers in the league capable of creating separation on any passing route. During McLaurin's three-year career, he has averaged over 14 yards per reception and had four games in 2022, where he averaged over 20 yards per reception.

Mooney and McLaurin Would Force The Bears To Adjust Their Offensive Scheme

Adding the play-making ability of McLaurin could force new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy to change or modify his offensive scheme. Getsy will deploy an offensive-style similar to the San Francisco 49ers, which is built on boot-leg pass designs and features significant pre-snap back-field motions. The Bears will use the running game behind Montgomery to set up the play-action to allow Fields to pass or run the ball, depending on what the defense is showing.

If McLaurin is added to the Bears' offense, along with Mooney, Getsy may have to adjust the offensive scheme to account for the ability of both of his starting receivers' ability to stretch the field. Having two pass-catchers capable of running deep-passing routes, along with Field's ability to connect on deep-ball throws, would allow the Bears' offense to deploy a lot of high-low passing concepts. Having Mooney and McLaurin run deep passing routes would enable Kmet, Pringle, Jones, or Montgomery to be deployed on middle and underneath passing routes, creating massive yards after catch potential. Getsy may not be able to deploy a high-low passing concept for Fields if the Bears' offense is in a boot-leg/play-action passing formation as the formation cuts the field in half for the quarterback. Having two 1,000-yard receivers in Mooney and McLaurin would immediately improve Fields' passing capabilities while opposing defenses would have an extremely hard time defending against both pass-catchers. The Bears' number one receiver and Commanders' number one receiver both caught over 75 passes and had 1,000 receiving yards for their respective teams, despite no other receiver on the Bears or Commanders recording more than 50 receptions or 500 receiving yards. Both McLaurin and Mooney had terrific 2021 campaigns, despite having little to no help from other receivers in drawing defensive coverage.

There have been no confirmed reports of the Bears and Poles exploring a trade for McLaurin, it's something the new general manager needs to consider. Chicago has made it known this offseason that they would like to add an elite wide receiver in free agency next year, but it may be better to trade for one now and then sign a long-term contract extension. McLaurin, paired with Mooney, would give Fields the best chance to succeed at quarterback immediately for the Bears.