Chicago Bears: 5 Wide receivers to target in 2020 NFL free agency
The Chicago Bears relied too heavily upon one wide receiver on offense in 2019 and they must change that. Who can help in 2020 NFL free agency?
The Chicago Bears had high hopes for its wide receivers corps in 2019. Allen Robinson was two years removed from his knee injury. Anthony Miller looked to build on his impressive rookie season. Taylor Gabriel was ready to break out, and rookie Riley Ridley raised hopes of rounding out a terrific unit.
Well, things didn’t work out as planned. Yes, Robinson showed that he was fully healthy and a great number one receiver. He caught just about everything and earned himself another big contract. The problem was that he became about the only regular target for a big chunk of the season.
Sure, Miller came on late, but early in the season, he was nonexistent. Perhaps if he was involved more the Bears win another game or two and they end up in the playoffs. Aside from the Washington game, Gabriel really didn’t do much. He had 75 percent of his touchdowns (3 of 4) and 21 percent of his yards (75 of 353) in that game alone. For some reason, Ridley was not used much during the season.
The Bears receivers finished third in the league in drops. That doesn’t help the offense be a consistent force. Yes, part of that has to do with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. When you keep running routes and the quarterback doesn’t see you or the quarterback has accuracy troubles. However, the receivers have to take some responsibility as well. No matter what is happening, they must do better in 2020.
The Bears need to tweak the wide receivers corps. They’ve already started by announcing that they cut Gabriel. The Bears needed to free up some salary cap space and they saved about $4.5 million by cutting him.
The Bears could go through the draft to pick someone. They could also try to find a veteran who could help at a bargain price. The Bears don’t need a superstar to help but a good veteran who could do what Gabriel couldn’t do, for example.
Here are five free agents the Chicago Bears could target who could help the offense in 2020.