The Chicago Bears offseason focus has shifted from trades for a potential quarterback and free agency to focus on the NFL Draft in late-April. Ryan Pace was in attendance at the Alabama Pro Day on Tuesday to scout Heisman finalist quarterback Mac Jones. The Bears have been interested in drafting a wide receiver as they are thin at the position and could be a tremendous weakness if not addressed.

Bears Wide Receiver Position Is Terribly Thin On Both Depth And Talent

Depth at the receiver position is the most concerning aspect for the Bears offense at the moment, as the team has already addressed the quarterback position in free agency. Although the team signed receiver Allen Robinson to the franchise tag, they do not have any firm receivers for the 2021 season after Darnell Mooney. Although the team will have both Mooney and Robinson, likely, Anthony Miller, Javon Wims, and Cordarrelle Patterson will not be with the team when training camp opens in late-July. Patterson is currently a free agent and has not had any serious discussions with the Bears on a potential contract. Both Wims and Miller are currently under contract with Chicago, but it is likely both will be traded before the draft or released shortly after due to their character concerns.

The Bears need to add talent at the position regardless of character concerns as the team has lacked production outside of Robinson and Mooney. Wims and Miller both combined for only 54 receptions and three touchdowns, all of which game in the first three weeks of the season. Two receivers have regressed following a 2018 rookie season where both showed promise and potential.

It was because of this regression and lack of production at the position that had Pace, and the Bears were highly interested in trying to sign Pro Bowl receiver Kenny Golladay. Had the Bears signed Golladay, the team would have had one of the best 1-2 receiving combos in the league and arguably one of the best-receiving groups as a whole with Mooney. Once the former Lion receiver signed with the New York Giants, Chicago passed on other top-tier receivers such as Juju Smith-Schuster, T.Y. Hilton, Sammy Watkins, and Curtis Samuel. Any of the receivers paired with a potential high-draft pick receiver would provide the team with more talent and depth than they have had during the previous two seasons.

Pace Is In Danger Of Repeating Receiver Fiasco of 2017

Four years ago, the Bears receiving position was in a similar spot heading into the 2017 season, and because of injuries, the receivers would struggle mightily throughout the season. During the offseason, Pace was unable to re-sign Pro Bowl receiver Alshon Jeffery but tried to offset the loss by signing Kendall Wright, Markus Wheaton, and Victor Cruz. The projected starting wide receivers for the team were former first-round selection Kevin White and undrafted free agent Cameron Meredith, who had over 800 receiving yards in 2016. Both White and Meredith would suffer season-ending injuries before week two of 2017, while Cruz was released at the end of the pre-season. The Bears would have a receiver group that featured Wright, Wheaton, Josh Bellamy, Dontrelle Inman, and Tre McBride combine for just four receiving touchdowns from the position.

The lack of both talent and size at the position hurt both Bears' quarterbacks throughout the season, including rookie quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Trubisky's play and the offense struggled as receivers couldn't gain separation and were unable to win contested throws. Chicago's rookie quarterback only passed for seven touchdowns in 12 games, with only one touchdown pass to a receiver being 10 yards or longer. Although Trubisky's play improved throughout the season, he seemed severely limited due to his receivers. During the offseason following the 2017 season, Pace made it a priority to surround his young quarterback with as many weapons as possible as he signed Robinson, receiver Taylor Gabriel, and tight end Trey Burton in free agency while drafting Miller and Wims in the 2018 draft. Trubisky's numbers jumped in 2018 with a better cast of receivers which now should serve as a reminder for Pace heading into this year's draft. Whether it is Andy Dalton or a rookie quarterback drafted next month, Chicago's general manager needs to surround his quarterback with the best receiving group possible.

Pace can do just that as the 2021 NFL Draft is deep at the receiver position as the Bears could get great talent at the position either on the first or second night. Furthermore, where Chicago could potentially draft for talent at receiver early in the draft, they can address depth later as they will have four picks in the sixth round on Saturday. With the addition of two rookie receivers and a quality mid-tier free agent receiver that could start opposite of Robinson, the team could solidify the position before the season begins.

The 2021 season is a make or break season for both Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. It would be a shame if the team failed to improve offensively due to a lack of production at the receiver position. Although Robinson and Mooney are talented receivers, they need more of a supporting cast around them. 2017 was a wasted season offensively due to a lack of skilled players at the position, which, in turn, resulted in the team's poor record and the firing of head coach John Fox. A repeat of the same mistake in 2021 will not only result in Nagy's firing but Pace's firing, more importantly.