The Chicago Bears will look to win their eighth game of 2023 while keeping their extremely slim playoff hopes alive against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. It will be a difficult task as injuries could be a significant problem for Chicago's offense as tight end Cole Kmet and wide receiver Darnell Mooney have not practiced this week due to injuries sustained against the Cardinals on Christmas Eve. With the Bears' wide receiver depth thin on talent already, rookie pass-catcher Tyler Scott will need to have the best day of his young career on Sunday against Atlanta.
Tyler Scott Is Due For A Break-Out Game Given His Growing Presence
Scott's rookie season has been nothing too special as the rookie has yet to make an explosive play as he does not have a touchdown or a reception over 35 yards. When drafted earlier this year, one of the more talked about strengths of the prospect's talent was his route-running and his speed to make plays downfield. Despite not having an explosive down-field catch this year, Scott has proven to be a reliable third-option at the wide receiver position whenever targeted.
In the past five games, Scott has caught five passes while being targeted seven times but wasn't targeted against the Cardinals this past Sunday, despite injuries to Kmet and top wide receiver DJ Moore. The rookie pass-catcher had more rapport with fellow rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent, as he caught six passes when Bagent was in at quarterback. The starting quarterback will likely need to target Scott significantly on Sunday if both Kmet and Mooney are held out due to their injuries.
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If the Bears are going to win on Sunday, Fields needs to target Scott more than he has all season, as the rookie will be his healthiest wide receiver on the field. If Mooney and Kmet are out with Moore playing after his leg injury against the Cardinals, Chicago's quarterback will need to target pass catchers he hasn't relied on this season. Scott will likely be the best option at the wide receiver position as Velus Jones Jr has already failed to be a reliable threat, while Equanimous St. Brown will be returning from a pectoral injury.
Scott needs to have a game where he hauls in a deep completion from Fields to prove that he can be the deep-threat receiver that general manager Ryan Poles thought he was during the Draft. Along with a downfield catch, the rookie needs to be targeted at least four times and potentially have three or more receptions. Scott will have an opportunity to prove his worth as Atlanta's secondary is the second-best in defending against wide receivers and will likely look to take Moore away from Fields.
Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has attempted to target Scott on pass plays longer than 35 yards or more with both Fields and Bagent, but a completion has not been made. The rookie has had several moments where he has gotten open, but the quarterback has failed to make a connection. Scott and Fields failed to connect on critical deep plays against both the Lions and Browns that could have altered the outcome of both games.
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Fields and Scott Both Need To Build a Connection For Their Long-Term Success
Fields and Scott need to develop a connection on Sunday, as working together can help better their long-term success beyond 2023. Chicago's third-year quarterback needs to demonstrate that he can work with other pass-catchers outside of Kmet and Moore, as both have been heavily targeted compared to others who have been rarely targeted. Scott has only caught eight passes from Fields, who has recorded back-to-back games where his top wide receiver caught eight receptions or more.
Scott needs to provide significant production, not just against the Falcons but also the Packers, given what will take place at the wide receiver position for Chicago in the offseason. The Bears will need to add a veteran free agent and are likely to draft a pass-catcher with the second of their two first-round selections. If Scott can have a strong finish to the 2023 season, it could alter Poles' plans in free agency as he could sign a mid-level free agent instead of a high-level available receiver.
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Fields and Scott working together can demonstrate that the quarterback deserves to be kept for the 2024 season, as it would show an ability to work with his other receivers outside of Moore. A game in which Chicago's third-year quarterback distributes the football evenly and does not repeatedly focus on one target will show growth, especially when it comes to going through progressions on passing plays. Scott can prove against the Falcons that he deserves to be given a chance to start for the Bears next season or at least solidify himself as the go-to option as the team's slot receiver.
