Chicago Bears: 5 best moves of the 2023 offseason
By Ryan Heckman
4. Tyler Scott future-proofs the Chicago Bears at wide receiver
Last season, the Bears made a pretty bold decision to trade for Chase Claypool. The pick they ended up sending to Pittsburgh was the first pick in the second round, obviously, and Claypool didn’t end up contributing much.
Next offseason, Claypool will be a free agent, as will Darnell Mooney. This is going to make for some tough decisions for Ryan Poles and the front office to make.
Fortunately, the Bears did draft Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott in the fourth round this spring. Scott brings a lot of similar aspects to the offense that Mooney and Claypool do, simply with his speed. He’s more of a quick, long-strider than anything. He’ll become a deep threat, similar to what Mooney has been.
Because the Bears pursued Claypool, they might be forced to keep him in favor of Mooney, thus allowing Scott to take on Mooney’s role. It would be unfortunate to see Mooney walk, but Scott gives the Bears some flexibility, nonetheless. Poles was forward-thinking in this pick, and hopefully he gets an opportunity as a rookie, too, because the kid is talented.