Chicago Bears: Is Reggie Wayne a good fit?

By Nick Ziegler | Aug 20, 2015

The Chicago Bears are coming into the 2015 with very little expectations after a poor 2014 season.

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This offseason, the Bears underwent a lot of change, as the coaching staff was overhauled with John Fox taking over for Marc Trestman. From a personnel standpoint, the Bears also saw change in between the white lines. One of the most notable players that will not be on the team in the 2015 season is Brandon Marshall.

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The Bears traded Marshall to the New York Jets for a late-round draft pick. With a need to fill the void left by trading Marshall, the Bears used their first-round pick on wide receiver Kevin White.

White burst onto the scene in 2014 at the University of West Virginia. Last season, White totaled 109 receptions, 1,447 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns. The addition of White in the NFL Draft figured to replace Marshall.

Unfortunately for White and the Bears, he has suffered a stress fracture in his shin, which could cost him the entire 2015 season.

The combination of White and Alshon Jeffery looked very good on paper, as Jeffery has proven himself as a very talented receiver in the NFL. In the past two seasons, Jeffery has proved that he belongs, as in 2013 he broke out by totaling 89 receptions, 1,421 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns.

Jeffery followed up the stellar 2013 season with another good one in 2014 despite battling some injuries. Last season, Jeffery totaled 85 receptions, 1,133 receiving yards, and 10 receiving touchdowns.

With the injury to White, the Bears could certainly look to add some help from outside of the organization. One of the better wide receivers that hasn’t signed this offseason is Reggie Wayne.

At 36-years-old, Wayne isn’t as good as he once was for the Indianapolis Colts, but he still has some gas left in the tank.

Dec 28, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) catches a pass and rushes to the one yard line against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

In 14 seasons, Wayne has accumulated some very impressive numbers, as he has totaled 1,070 receptions, 14,345 receiving yards, and 82 receiving touchdowns. Wayne has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times in his career, and one day may find himself in Canton, Ohio with other greats.

While Wayne isn’t in his prime, he showed last year with the Colts that he can still be a valuable weapon. Last season, Wayne totaled 64 receptions, 779 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.

If the Bears were to add Wayne, they would be getting a veteran wide receiver with a good reputation to help their young receivers grow. Even though Jeffery has had success already, he has only been in the league for three years, and could surely learn some things from Wayne.

With the uncertainty surrounding White’s health, Wayne could also step in and provide Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offense with a better than average weapon.

There is the very real possibility that Wayne will want to play for a winner in 2015 if he plays, and Bears don’t project to be a playoff team in 2015. The Bears likely won’t be the only team interested in the services of Wayne, as the recent season-ending injury to Kelvin Benjamin may make the Panthers a real possibility to sign him.

Wayne may not be great anymore, but he still can bring a lot to a team like the Bears in 2015.

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