Dream Bears Free Agent Target is Officially Off the Market

A lot of attention has been understandably given to the quarterback position in Chicago. Who will be at the helm for the Bears next season remains the most important question for the franchise, but there is an equally desperate need at wide receiver heading into the offseason.

The Bears need to bolster their receiving corps. Outside of DJ Moore, the rest of the options leave plenty to be desired, assuming Darnell Mooney will leave in free agency. One of the primary targets they had set their eyes on in free agency is unfortunately no longer on the market.

The Cincinnati Bengals have applied the franchise tag to their star receiver Tee Higgins, taking him off the market for the rest of the league, including the Bears.

Bears Dream Free Agency Target No Longer Available

Higgins will now make $21.8 million on a one-year deal and has until July 15 to come to a long-term agreement with the Bengals. Otherwise, he will be a free agent next season.

The Bears have the third-most cap space in the league this offseason. With over $65 million to spend in free agency, Chicago will surely add a wide receiver.

Now that market is a little tighter with perhaps the best potential free agent gone. There are still plenty of elite options like Mike Evans and Marquise Brown that Bears can choose to pay but they will face plenty of competition around the league.

The Chicago Bears have the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and are widely expected to draft Caleb Williams. In fact, FanDuel Sportsbook has their odds of selecting Williams at a -1600, implying over a 94% probability. If you disagree, head over to FanDuel and take advantage of their sign-up offer of $150 in bonus bets, and bet on who you think the Bears will end up drafting.

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