Unexpected Name The Chicago Bears Could Look Into Next Year

Wide receiver is a position the Chicago Bears have to fix. That isn't anything new. There is hope a combination of Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool can develop into something. However, neither is what you'd call a genuine #1 target. Justin Fields needs one if he's going to reach the next level. The problem is none are projected to be available come next spring. Free agency is barren, and the 2023 draft has no viable options considered worthy of a top five pick. That means their only hope is the trade market.

It doesn't feel like anybody of note will be available. That is likely why GM Ryan Poles made the deal for Claypool in the first place. He was somebody young the Bears could work with. However, things can change fast in the NFL. Unexpected names become available all the time. One that might be worth watching is DeAndre Hopkins. The five-time Pro Bowler sits in a murky situation with the Arizona Cardinals. With the team staring down a brutal 4-10 record, a GM on a leave of absence, and a head coach on the hot seat, it feels like things could implode soon.

Don't forget Kyler Murray is also coming off a torn ACL. There are so many unknowns for this organization. Hopkins has two years left on his current deal. He'll be 31 years old next June. He may wish to get out before things go belly up.

The Chicago Bears are in a favorable spot to make this deal.

For one, Hopkins won't command a huge price due to his age and contract. He will count $30 million against the salary cap in 2023. No other teams will trade for that. Thanks to their $115 million in cap space, Chicago is the only one that can. Hopkins is still a star. He'd immediately become the best receiver on the roster by a comfortable margin. He has over 700 yards this season despite missing the first six games with a suspension and seeing his quarterback go down with an injury. Sure, he's not the long-term phenom everybody wants, but he'd be an instant boost for Fields.

Much of this depends on who is calling the shots in Arizona. GM Steve Keim isn't in the picture right now. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury might get fired. If there is a regime change next month, it isn't hard to imagine the new brass deciding to cut costs. That means jettisoning older players for extra resources. Hopkins is an obvious option in that scenario. It comes down to what they demand in return. If it's a 3rd or 4th round pick, the Chicago Bears have every reason to explore that possibility.