Chicago Bears: Grading the team’s first half performance

Wide receivers: D

Okay, so this is an easy unit to bash. Too many dropped balls hurt the offense. Also, the receivers have a difficult time creating space. That makes the quarterback’s life harder trying to get a pass with a defender right on the receiver’s back.

To be fair, injuries play a big part for the poor play. Cameron Meredith and Kevin White were supposed to be integral parts of the offense. Both went down for the season, Meredith during the preseason and White in the first game of the season.

The play calling hurts the receiving play as well. Deonte Thompson took his lumps for his play on the field. The Bears released him a couple of weeks ago. The Buffalo Bills picked him up and he has 5 catches (on five targets) for 112 yards so far. He got some separation and hands in Buffalo.

Tre McBride played a bigger part in the last game against the New Orleans Saints and he played well. He made 3 catches for 92 yards. Perhaps he’ll play a bigger part in the second half. In addition, the Bears traded for Dontrelle Inman. With the bye week, hopefully, he gets acclimated to the offense and makes an impact in the second half.

Yes, the receiving corps had its troubles in the first half. No one is happy with their play. The bye week may give them some time to regroup and we hope they come out in the second half and help Trubisky.