Over the past few weeks, the Chicago Bears have been earning rave reviews for their offseason moves. Whether it’s been via trade or free agency, general manager Ryan Poles has been doing some serious work.
Poles was able to make arguably the biggest move of the league’s offseason, thus far, when he traded the first overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
He kept the former Panther trend going when he signed another former Carolina weapon, running back D’Onta Foreman, just a handful of days ago.
Between Moore and Foreman, this offense is going to take another step. Things are going to happen that might not have happened otherwise. Let’s take a look at some ripple effects from two of the Bears’ most significant moves of the offseason thus far.
Ripple effects from the Chicago Bears acquiring D.J. Moore: Bears likely won’t draft a receiver high
Prior to the Bears trading for Moore, it was almost a foregone conclusion that they should take a wide receiver within the top two rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft. Yet, now, it doesn’t seem that way.
With Moore as the clear number one, it’ll be Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool right behind him at two and three. From there, Equanimeous St. Brown is currently the four, with last year’s rookie Velus Jones Jr. still here as well.
If the Bears drafted a receiver in the first three rounds, it would be quite the shocker. Instead, they’ll likely feel comfortable with their weaponry and go more toward building the trenches on both sides of the ball.
It is pretty undeniable the work Poles has done over the past several months at wide receiver. Whether you agree with the Claypool trade or not, he looks pretty strong next to Mooney and Moore. This offense is about to take a big step.
Ripple effects from the Chicago Bears signing D’Onta Foreman: Training camp competition will breed major success
The Bears led the NFL in rushing last season by a wide margin. It all started with quarterback Justin Fields, who will likely take a step back with his legs this coming season, and that’s a good thing. With Fields possessing more weapons, the Bears will be able to pass a bit more, too.
As for the rushing attack, Foreman said himself that he came to Chicago to try and “be the guy,” meaning he wants to unseat Khalil Herbert for the starting job.
“I came here to try to be the guy,” Foreman said. “If I didn’t come here with that mentality I’d be doing myself a disservice and doing the team a disservice.”
Herbert proved he is more than capable of being the Bears’ number one back, but what Foreman has been able to do in reviving his career is impressive. Following an Achilles injury, Foreman worked hard to get back on the field and make the most of his limited opportunities.
Now, he has the chance to be part of the league’s top rushing attack. And, while Herbert will likely still keep his job, Foreman will have plenty of opportunities. If anything, training camp is going to be a blast to watch. These two backs are going to be competing at the highest level.
Ripple effects from the Chicago Bears acquiring D.J. Moore: We may never see the Chase Claypool trade pan out
When the Bears traded for Chase Claypool, the pick they gave up seemed like a bit much. Now? It seems like way too much, especially considering Moore is in Chicago. Obviously, Moore will absorb the majority of receiver targets, compared to the rest of his teammates. He’ll get the top number in that category.
It’s tough to see Darnell Mooney not being the number two wideout, still, though. He has clear chemistry with Fields and the two of them have a great on-field and off-field relationship. Mooney should continue to be the second option at receiver.
That leaves Claypool as the number three, and to be frank, giving up a second rounder for a guy that sits third on your depth chart looks like a complete and total failure. But, in retrospect, we didn’t know the Bears were going to get Moore, either.
Had the Bears not traded for Moore, and drafted a rookie to come in this season alongside Mooney and Claypool, then we might have a different opinion. It would still be a “wait and see” type of approach.
But, at this point, it doesn’t appear as though the Claypool trade will pan out as a positive.
Ripple effects from the Chicago Bears signing D’Onta Foreman: Bears will be in the running back market in 2024
The Bears chose not to pay David Montgomery, who turns 26 in June. Instead, they handed the soon-to-be 27-year-old Foreman a one-year deal.
Unless Foreman goes out and finishes somewhere in the top five of the NFL in rushing next year, the Bears won’t be paying him before his age 28 season. Foreman might be a great 1-year rental, sure, but next year, the Bears are going to be in the running back market once again.
In fact, this is all the more reason to keep Herbert as the starting running back going into the 2023 campaign. He’ll likely be the guy the Bears choose to pay, if they pay any of their own backs. Foreman will be here and then be gone in a flash. Again, he’s a very good player and makes this offense better alongside Herbert.
But, next year, the Bears are going to be searching for a running back once again.