Chicago Bears 2017 free agency: Players they should target

Adam Thielen, WR (6-foot-3, 200 pounds)

One of the big problems with the Chicago Bears offense was at wide receiver. The unit (like many other of the Bears’ unit) suffered many injuries. Because of that, some players who didn’t expect to see a lot of playing time on the field ended up having to give big time there. Kevin White missed nearly the entire season (after doing so last season). Eddie Royal missed seven games due to injury…for the second straight season. Alshon Jeffery missed four games due to a suspension, so that added to the problem.

Of course, having so many replacements on the unit cost the Bears some points, dropped passes, and victories.

Signing Thielen helps with getting the offense more consistent. In 2016 with the Minnesota Vikings, he made 69 catches for 967 yards and 5 touchdowns. He has the hands to be a key player, a very good possession receiver who makes the short-to-intermediate catches. He caught an excellent 75 percent of the passes thrown his way, and dropped just three passes all season long. Additionally, he averaged 14 yards per catch and played in 74 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps.

Thielen, an undrafted free agent after the 2014 draft, signed with his hometown Vikings. He was Sam Bradford’s reliable option. He’d be an excellent help for whoever plays quarterback for the Bears in 2017.

Thielen is one of those players who sneaks up on you. He doesn’t have blazing speed, but he is quick and has great footwork. He usually finds the hole in a defense and gets open.

Going after Thielen helps the Bears twofold — it adds to their offense, and takes away from Minnesota’s, a division rival. Yes, the Vikings have cap space with the release of Adrian Peterson, but they have many holes like the Bears. They still don’t have the space Chicago has.

Thielen is a restricted free agent, so Minnesota can match any offer. However, the Bears can offer him a front-loaded deal, forcing the Vikings to make an important decision.

Thielen would be an upgrade to the Bears’ receiving corps. With the Bears adding a new quarterback in 2017, they need to add a dependable receiver who helps him succeed.