One of the clear remaining concerns facing the Chicago Bears coming out of a strong 2026 offseason is depth at the receiver position. While rookie receiver Zavion Thomas clearly has the attention of the coaching staff and fanbase, the pass catcher is very much an unproven commodity as a third-round selection. If the season started today, it would have Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, Kalif Raymond, Thomas, and Jahdae Walker filling out the top of the team's depth chart. This leaves an obvious chance to add a bit more proven depth with one clear fit remaining.
Veteran receiver DeAndre Hopkins may no longer be the elite force he once was, however, this isn't what Chicago needs. The Bears are expecting both Burden and Odunze to take a leap, leaving a need not for a star pass catcher, but for proven depth if injuries were to strike the position. Hopkins is a great late-season signing in the fact that he isn't threat to the top of Chicago's depth chart while still providing a chance at finding consistent production.
Hopkins spent last season with the Baltimore Ravens and provided 330 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns. It isn't hard to make the argument Hopkins could offer more than this if the need arose, with more than 600 receiving yards in the 2024 season and putting up 1,057 receiving yards in the 2023 season.
With this in mind, the Bears would be wise to sign the veteran, offering themselves a chance to add needed depth and perhaps find a veteran to help the team's young pass catchers develop and take the next step.
DeAndre Hopkins would give the Bears proven depth
Both Thomas and Walker are clear question marks pointing to a depth chart lacking much assurance if injuries were to strike. Odunze and Burden are clearly the team's primary targets, but the franchise is one injury away from having a lineup that is starting Raymond as well as one of this unproven duo. This helps explain why the addition of Hopkins could be so potentially impactful.
You're not adding the expectations of signing one of the top remaining free agents at the position, in Tyreek Hill or Stefon Diggs. This is simply an insurance policy that gives you an unknown ceiling but a clear level of expected production in a reserve role.
For the Bears, this should be well within the team's budget, considering the receiver's age and average numbers with Baltimore a season ago. Still, it is a signing that has a chance to help swing games in Chicago's direction and would be the perfect final offseason move.
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