Chicago Bears: Tanner Gentry should be a starter right now
After initially being cut from the Chicago Bears’ 53-man roster, the organization placed rookie wide receiver Tanner Gentry onto their practice squad.
Given his surprise play in the preseason for the Chicago Bears, along with the team’s thinning depth at the position, Tanner Gentry should be a starter, right now.
The Chicago Bears organization is known for making puzzling, head-scratching decisions at times. One of those head-scratchers might have come this past weekend when the team placed WR Tanner Gentry onto their practice squad roster.
Gentry, an undrafted rookie out of Wyoming, was one of the team’s biggest stars throughout the preseason. Establishing great chemistry with quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Gentry looked every bit the part of a reliable go-to receiver.
He showed both impressive route running ability, along with reliable hands. Traits that other Bears’ wide-outs have struggled to attain consistently.
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If the Bears had learned anything from last season, it’s that an undrafted player can have a major impact on their season. If given an opportunity. Look no further than receiver Cameron Meredith.
Before suffering a torn ACL in his left knee this preseason, Meredith was poised to be the Bears’ number one receiver. A number one wide-out, who was signed by the organization back in 2015, following being undrafted out of Illinois State.
While Meredith barely played in his first season with the Bears, he became a bright spot for the team throughout the 2016 season. Catching 66 receptions in 10 games started, for nearly 900 yards.
Maybe, just maybe, the Bears are going to employ a similar strategy with Tanner Gentry. Let him have as much time as he needs to grow as a wide-out, before finally throwing him out into the fire in a real NFL contest.
If that’s truly the case, then maybe the Bears’ coaching staff deserves some credit. But, given the team’s lack of depth at the position, would Gentry have been better served being put onto the opening day roster instead. Even as a possible starter?
Not a ton of reliable wide receiver options with who to work
Without Meredith, who are the Bears’ go-to wide-receivers this season? Kevin White…maybe? The third-year WR, who, unfortunately, has spent more time re-learning the position, due to multiple heartbreaking, season-ending injuries.
How about Markus Wheaton? A veteran, who has battled nagging injuries throughout his five-year career. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been seen in-game action, thanks to a broken finger suffered a few weeks ago.
Kendall Wright? At this point, the Bears’ wide receiving core is going to rely upon the “last man standing” notion. Wright thankfully has been healthy thus far. But up to this point, his six-year career has been up-and-down. Mirrored by inconsistent play, along with trouble in years’ past staying on the field.
Getting better with experience
If the Bears truly want to develop Gentry into a viable wide receiver moving forward, moving him into the starting role right now might be the safest bet. He’ll be able to learn from any mistakes made, while growing as a player, facing top-level competition. All while becoming another go-to weapon for the Bears’ offense to rely upon during games.
Better to make that move now, rather than later. Especially, if the Chicago Bears endure another tragic injury at the position, during some point in the season.