Warning Signs Hint of A Major Bears Waiver Wire Rush

The Chicago Bears waiver wire operation has never been under a greater microscope than this year. Why? GM Ryan Pace is known for being active this time of year. That and the team holds the highest position it ever has since the waiver system was installed in the mid-2000s. Given the state of the current roster, there are plenty of reasons to think the Bears will seek out more help. After all injuries have already begun to set in. Nowhere more so than at wide receiver. Markus Wheaton has missed lots of time with appendicitis and a broken finger. Cameron Meredith is done for the year after a bad knee injury. Throw in the iffy histories of Kevin White and Victor Cruz and it's not a hard sell to see them attacking that position. There's also outside linebacker. Pernell McPhee is still not back after having knee surgery for the second-straight year. Outside of Leonard Floyd it gets tricky. Willie Young is turning 32. Lamarr Houston is coming off a torn ACL. Their depth is worrisome. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes the team will be aggressive once the process begins September 2nd.

Chicago Bears waiver wire plan could feature aggressive moves

"The cliche holds true: One club's trash can be another's treasure. The Bears scooped up offensive lineman Eric Kush and cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc off waivers at final cuts last year. Had he not suffered a torn hamstring earlier this month, Kush likely would be a Week 1 starter against the Falcons with Kyle Long's lingering ankle issues. LeBlanc figures to have a good chance of making the team again... ...Pace is in position to do better this time. The Bears are third in the waiver-claim order through the third week of the regular season based on the April draft order. In Week 4, the system reverts to an inverse order of current win-loss records. The Browns and 49ers are the only teams ahead of the Bears, meaning Pace would have first shot at any player those teams pass on."

Another name the Bears secured through waivers was safety Harold Jones-Quartey. He ended up starting some games for them and had some nice moments as well. Other teams have enjoyed exploiting the process too just last year. Cleveland got corner Briean Boddy-Calhoun who might now be their best at the position. Atlanta secured electric playmaker Taylor Gabriel. It's proof that the process can be quite fruitful if one knows what to look for. Pace has a reputation for attention to detail. He's a former Director of Pro Personnel so the waiver wire and late free agency were his times to shine, as he often did in New Orleans. Don't be surprised if he pulls off one or two surprise steals.