Aug 18, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Terrell Owens (10) prior to game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Byron Hetzler-USA TODAY Sports
You know him. You love him. And, you even loathe him. Regardless of whichever stance you choose, Terrell Owens is a very well known name throughout the NFL. In a career that has featured stints with 6 different NFL teams and even 1 AFL team, he currently stands 2nd all-time in receiving yards and 3rd all-time in receiving touchdowns. Ever since he was cut by the Seattle Seahawks during the final round of cuts, he hasn’t played a down of football. Despite his current circumstances, he refuses to retire, and one team in particular has caught his eyes. And that team…is the Chicago Bears.
At 39 years of age, he is hoping to make Chicago his next home, given how current Bears’ Head Coach Marc Trestman was Terrell Owens’s first Offensive Coordinator when he began his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1996. In a recent interview with David Kaplan of CSN Chicago, Terrell Owens pleaded his case before the Chicago media.
"“I played my first early years in San Francisco with [Bears head coach Marc Trestman] and shortly after that, he left to do some things,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Marc in a long while. I know he’s gone on and done some things, now he’s back in the NFL. So, I never really thought about it until myself and Napoleon were talking about it earlier, but I would definitely welcome it if they would give it some serious consideration. To think about [Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall] on the other side and me on one side, that’s really dangerous. I’m keeping myself in shape just for any opportunity that may come about.”"
Napoleon Harris, a state senator of Illinois and former NFL player for the Raiders, Vikings, and Chiefs, also vouched for Owens in his case to be signed by the Bears. In the same article, Harris described how well conditioned T.O. is, as he was quoted in saying “The Bears would be smart to give him an opportunity. He is motivated and ready to play.” He would then join T.O. in the praise of Marc Trestman, where he believes the new coach can get the most out of players such as Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, and Brandon Marshall. So, why shouldn’t the Bears sign such a motivated character to make a championship run with?
Well for starters, he’s just that; a character. Throughout his tenure in the NFL, Owens has been documented in as many incidents as he’s recorded Touchdown Dances, which is a scary number. Not only has he publicly dissed his starting QBs, he was even accused of spitting in DeAngelo Hall’s face during a game in 2006. His list of reported incidents is so long, I’m afraid it would create a logjam in this post. In essence, he is a textbook example of both a “Primma-donna” as well as a “lockerroom cancer”. No matter how you slice it, he’s not someone you’d want to add onto your team, unless he offered a very high ceiling to any potential signing. Plus, we haven’t even got to their roster yet.
If T.O. were to have made his case to join before the 2012 season, then just maybe he would warrant minor consideration. But, after the 2012 season, you can forget it. Since GM Phil Emery’s hiring, he’s added a cornucopia of talent to the receiving corps. That list includes the expected starting tandem of receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, as well as a recent addition in TE Martellus Bennett. With Matt Forte always a threat from the backfield, and even more talent expected to be added through the draft, where in the world would Terrell Owens play? From being a Bears fan myself, I can personally tell you he won’t be able to unseat Jeffery at this point in his career, let alone Marshall. If T.O. agreed to be a slot receiver, then perhaps that could change my view a tad. Otherwise, not a chance.
The final reason why I feel Terrell Owens won’t be playing for the Bears, is because if the Bears really wanted him, he’d already be signed or at least contacted by now. As Owens said himself, he hasn’t spoken to Marc Trestman in a long time. Unless something dramatic happens to Brandon Marshall, he probably won’t be receiving any phone calls by his former coach in the foreseeable future. GM Phil Emery and HC Marc Trestman share a specific set of plans for this off-season, and Terrell Owens does not appear to be on any of them.
Yet, crazier things have happened in the NFL, and even though he carries with him a full moving truck of baggage, he shall be a name mentioned continuously by the media. What do you fans think of this, do you think he deserves a chance with the Bears? Comment in the comments section below.