Chicago Bears 2023 Free Agency Position Preview: Wide Receiver

This offseason, the Chicago Bears absolutely must address the wide receiver position. It’s one of the crucial spots needing talent to better equip quarterback Justin Fields going into Year 3.

General manager Ryan Poles punted on 2022, and that’s understandable. But, now it’s time for the real games to begin. Chicago owns the most cap space in all of the league, along with the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The offseason is about to kick into high gear when free agency opens on March 16, which is now under a month away. Will the Bears be active at the wide receiver position?

If we’re being honest, let’s hope they’re not too active with free agent wide receivers, because that’s not where their help is going to come from; at least, not the right kind of help.

The Chicago Bears’ situation at wide receiver likely won’t improve via free agency

Bears wide receivers who are free agents in 2023:

Byron Pringle

N’Keal Harry

Dante Pettis

Of the above names, the only one that might make sense to bring back is Harry. But, that would mean Poles and the staff see something in him that they’re apparently hiding. Last season, Harry was hardly used. He was given just nine targets all season in 2022. Do they actually view him as a piece of this team going into 2023?

Bears wide receivers under contract for 2023:

Darnell Mooney

Chase Claypool

Velus Jones Jr.

Equanimeous St. Brown

Daurice Fountain

Nsimba Webster

Joe Reed

It is probably safe to say that Fountain, Webster and Reed won’t be part of the Bears’ plans for 2023 and will be cut at some point before the season starts. But, Mooney, Claypool, Jones and St. Brown could end up being four of six receivers kept at the end of training camp.

With that in mind, the Bears absolutely have to target a WR1 this offseason, and quite frankly, it won’t be via free agency.

Best available free agent wide receivers in 2023:

DJ Chark

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Jakobi Meyers

Nelson Agholor

Jarvis Landry

Mecole Hardman

Jalen Guyton

Darius Slayton

Looking at the above names, you cannot find a single player worthy of the alpha label. The Bears could find themselves a nice number two or three option, but Claypool and Mooney are already those types.

If the Bears are going to find themselves a real, outside wide receiver who can be an upper echelon type of player, they’ll have to hit the trade block or go high up in the draft. Free agency will not be kind when it comes to the wide receiver position.