Five New Year’s resolutions the Chicago Bears must make for 2017
Revamp the wide receiver corps
Another unit that took a hit with injuries was the wide receiver corps. Just a few seasons ago, the Bears receivers were one of the best in the NFL. They had Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery in the Pro Bowl, and they helped Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears offense be a high-octane one.
Today, Jeffery is still there, but the other names are unrecognizable. The other starter is Cameron Meredith. The backups are Daniel Braverman, Deonte Thompson and Josh Bellamy. That does not exactly strike fear into an opposing defense.
Of course, with all the injuries, the play takes a hit as well. While the Bears had three quarterbacks this season, the one thing all of them had in common was dropped passes. They rank 28th in dropped passes this season. The number one team in fewest dropped passes is the Dallas Cowboys, who have just seven drops. Bears’ receivers had ten in just one game!
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The Bears drafted Kevin White in last year’s draft, but he spent more time on injured reserve than on the field. He played in just four games, hauling in only 19 passes. Kevin Royal was to be a key slot receiver, but in the two seasons in Chicago, he played in just nine games each season.
I think it is safe to say that the Marquess Wilson experiment should end. He has some talent, but his body just cannot stay right. Out of a possible 64 games in his four seasons with the Bears, Wilson played in just 31. I think he’s played his last game as a Bear.
The Bears have a big decision to make with Jeffery. He is a supremely talented receiver, but as with Wilson, he cannot stay on the field. In his five seasons with the Bears, Jeffery played just two full seasons. Two of those seasons resulted in 1,000+ yards (earning a Pro Bowl as well).
In addition to his variety of aches and pains this season, Jeffery earned a suspension for PED use. That suspension may be the thing that brings him back to Chicago. If the Bears sign him, I don’t think they will break the bank. The suspension may lower the cost of keeping him.
Of course, it also depends on whether Jeffery wants to come back. I don’t get the feeling he enjoys being in Chicago after the front office shipped Marshall out to New York. He never really had a good rapport with Cutler on the field. He had his Pro Bowl season when Marshall was mentoring him. Last year, during the offseason, Cutler had a training session with his receivers. They all went, except for one Alshon Jeffery. He decided to travel to Weston, FL, and train with Marshall instead.
Perhaps there is a chance Jeffery comes back. If he does, he needs to be fully committed to playing for the Chicago Bears. He will have a nice contract no matter what. While it may be lower than what he thought he’d get before the suspension, it will be a big one nonetheless. Now, if the Bears decide to part ways with Cutler…but more on that later.