The Chicago Bears will look to win back-to-back games for the first time since 2021 when they travel to Los Angeles to face the Chargers on Sunday Night Football this weekend. Although all attention is currently on undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent for his impressive start and win against the Los Vegas Raiders, another rookie is quietly developing an expanding role for himself recently. Rookie wide receiver Tyler Scott has garnered more playing time over the past few weeks and could be on the verge of a breakout game soon, providing Chicago with something they haven't had in several years.
Scott Could Become A Reliable And Credible Threat Over Next Few Games
Scott was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft held this previous April as the Bears were looking to surround quarterback Justin Fields with as many offensive weapons as possible. Coming out of Cincinnati, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the rookie pass-catcher due to his superb speed, crisp route-running, and reliable catching ability. Many Bears' analysts and fans believed that Scott could be one of the more significant sleeper selections in the draft and could be productive immediately once the season began.
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Although there were high expectations at the beginning of the season, Scott did not produce, as he only caught three passes for 20 yards in Chicago's first five games. Additionally, the rookie had only five targets through the Bears' first five games, with no targets against the Broncos or Commanders. Despite the early lack of production, Scott has seen more targets and catches in Chicago's last two games than in the five before that combined.
The emergence of Scott over the past two weeks could be tied to Bagent coming in at quarterback in the second half of the Vikings game a week and a half ago in the second half. Both of the rookie's catches against Minnesota came with the fellow rookie in at quarterback. Bagent also targeted Scott on a deep downfield pass, which led to a defensive pass interference call on the Vikings, which resulted in a gain of 36 yards. The connection between the two rookies can be linked to the chemistry the two built working together during the preseason and training camp.
Against the Raiders, Scott was again targeted twice and caught two passes for 19 yards, including a clutch 13-yard reception on third down. The rookie's growing presence is especially needed given the Bears' offensive situation with Bagent at quarterback. With opposing defenses focusing on Chicago's best wide receiver in DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney struggling to get targeted consistently, the team needs a third pass-catcher to emerge, especially with an undrafted rookie at quarterback.
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Former Bears' receiver Chase Claypool was supposed to solidify the third wide receiver position and give the offense one of the best receiver groups in the league with Mooney and Moore, but unfortunately, was a massive failure due to his own doing. Although the Bears' passing offense has been productive without Claypool, they are still in need of reliable pass-catcher to take advantage of defensive coverage paid to Chicago's starting wide receivers.
A credible threat at the third wide receiver position enables the Bears' passing offense to become that much harder to defend. For example, with the Chargers defense likely to focus primarily on stopping Moore, along with Bagent's likelihood to target pass-catchers on short routes, Scott could be utilized as a deep threat and be schemed open by using Chicago's best wide receiver. Additionally, the rookie receiver could be a reliable go-to target over the next few games if the fellow rookie remains at quarterback, allowing the Bears' passing offense to remain productive.
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Chicago Hasn't had A Reliable Third Receiver Since 2020
If Scott can continue to be productive and grow in the Bears' passing offense over the next few weeks, his development could be similar to Mooney's rookie season of 2020. In 2020, the then-rookie wide receiver set a franchise record for most receptions and receiving yards by a first-year player. Mooney was consistently productive despite having limited training camp time and no preseason games due to COVID restrictions that year.
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Mooney, in his rookie season, began as Chicago's third receiver behind Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller. The rookie was consistently productive early that year as he caught 13 receptions for 145 and a touchdown catch over the Bears' first four games of 2020. During those first four games, Chicago's offense recorded ten passing touchdowns and consistently moved the ball due to the depth and talent at the wide receiver position.
Before and after 2020, Chicago has desperately struggled to have quality and productive depth at the third wide receiver position, as only the 2018 team from 2016 to 2022 had three receivers consistently contribute throughout the season. Mooney's ability to be a reliable rookie enabled the Bears to make a playoff push late in December of that season, as he caught two touchdown passes and hauled in a reception over 50 yards in Chicago's final four games of 2020.
Scott is unlikely to produce the same numbers Mooney did during his rookie season, but that doesn't mean the 2023 rookie wideout can't provide value to Chicago for the remainder of this season. If he can develop a role in the Bears' offense, with Moore likely still producing at a Pro Bowl level, Chicago's passing offense will still have success and be consistent, especially with Bagent at quarterback and locking on to just one primary pass-catcher. Scott has made people take notice over the past two games and could be destined to establish himself permanently in the Bears offense on Sunday Night against the Chargers.
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