The DeAndre Hopkins To Chicago Push Isn't Going Away

The DeAndre Hopkins situation continues to be a fascinating one. Everybody was convinced the star wide receiver would immediately seek to sign with a contender after the Arizona Cardinals released him a couple of weeks ago. It made sense. He's never been to a Super Bowl, and time isn't on his side. However, it appears that isn't his primary motivation. Hopkins seems more interested in landing on a team that is willing to give him a favorable payday. Recent rumors indicate he's seeking a one-year deal in the $15 million range.

Not many teams are in a position to give him that kind of money. The Chicago Bears are one of them. Thus far, GM Ryan Poles has offered no indication he's prepared to do so. He already made the bold move for D.J. Moore in the blockbuster trade with Carolina. This doesn't seem to have stopped the buzz from continuing. Maurice Moton of Bleacher Report insists the Bears have every reason to pursue this idea. The primary motivation is lingering concerns about Chase Claypool after his inauspicious arrival last November.

No expense should be spared to help Justin Fields.

"Compared to last offseason, the Bears have done a much better job of strengthening Fields' supporting cast, and it should pay off in the upcoming season. But they can put the cherry on top of their efforts with the addition of Hopkins, who would be a decent complement to Moore on the perimeter, which would allow Darnell Mooney to work primarily out of the slot.

Remember, wide receiver Chase Claypool had a disappointing seven-game stretch (14 receptions for 140 yards) with the team last year. He had been "dealing with a few things" that sidelined him for a few weeks in the spring, per head coach Matt Eberflus.

Chicago doesn't have to wait for Claypool to find his footing in the offense with enough cap space to sign Hopkins."

DeAndre Hopkins would be a fun addition.

Undoubtedly, he can still be one of the best receivers in football when healthy. He's also a far better player than Claypool. The problem is how much closer he gets the Bears to a Super Bowl. It would make sense if the team were ready for a deep run. Hopkins would be like a cherry on top of the sundae. However, this team isn't there yet. They have several roster holes still to address amidst a full rebuild. Yes, Hopkins would potentially help Fields, but that would only be for one season. The team would prefer to allow the much younger Claypool to keep growing.

If he and the Bears quarterback click this season, the team will be able to re-sign him for the long term. DeAndre Hopkins would be a one-year rental and likely serve little purpose beyond inflating the stats of his quarterback. That might be fine in the eyes of fans, but it's not something that makes strategic sense for the organization. It is focused on building a young team. Hopkins is an older veteran who will demand a certain number of targets befitting his stature. That isn't something the Bears need right now.