Chicago Bears: Markus Wheaton says wide receiver corps is underrated
The Chicago Bears’ wide receiver corps was a sore spot last season. The team overhauled the position, but with many players coming back from injury and some unknowns, it’s still a question mark. Markus Wheaton for one thinks they are underrated.
The Chicago Bears‘ wide receivers underwhelmed last season. Between dropped passes, injuries, and suspensions, the position was a big disappointment.
This offseason, general manager Ryan Pace overhauled the spot. He let Alshon Jeffery walk as a free agent, surprising many. He then went out and signed Markus Wheaton, Kendall Wright, Victor Cruz, and Rueben Randle. Add them to Cameron Meredith, Kevin White, Daniel Braverman, and Josh Bellamy.
The spot is still a big question mark. Wheaton came back from a bad injury and Cruz is trying to show he’s recovered from the injuries that hurt his career the past few seasons. Randle missed the entire 2016 season after the Philadelphia Eagles cut him. Cameron Meredith, signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2015, had a breakout season in 2016, but can he continue his good play? Also, White played in just four career games in his first two seasons.
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Not many people expect this corps to play much better than last season. With so many questions, how could they?
Well, Wheaton for one has faith in him and his teammates. He feels this unit is underrated.
"Everyone’s new, so we don’t know what it’s gonna be. In Pittsburgh you kind of have a clue `cause they’ve done it for so long. Everybody’s new, everybody’s trying to find their niche, so we’ll see how it goes. Anything’s possible. We’ve got a lot of guys who are looking for opportunity. A lot of guys that are hungry and have something to prove. Anything’s possible. Anyone can come out on top. The ultimate goal is to win games and I’m sure the coaches will put us in position to do that… I think we definitely are underrated. We’ve come in and worked to get to where we wanna be. We will get there, and it’ll show up on the field."
I agree with Wheaton. There are talented players in this unit. Wheaton could be a number one receiver anywhere, but he played behind Antonio Brown. Also, Victor Cruz helped the New York Giants win a Super Bowl. Randle and Wright, while not spectacular, have had solid seasons over his career. White is still young and was the seventh overall pick.
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There are guys who can make an impact. However, there are a lot of “Ifs” that come with these guys. IF they are healthy; IF some unexpected players come through; this is not something you really want to hang your hat on. As Wheaton said, they are hungry. Never underestimate the power of a hungry player. Or a one-year, “prove it” contract.