Wide receiver is unquestionably a pressing need for the Chicago Bears as they enter one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history.
Tight end Cole Kmet was Chicago’s leading receiver with 50 receptions for only 544 yards and seven touchdowns. Top wideout Darnell Mooney, who had 1,055 receiving yards in 2021, missed five games and tallied just 40 caches for 493 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
At NFL Analysis Network, Kenneth Teape proposed an enticing trade scenario in which the Bears would address their need for a star wideout by landing DeAndre Hopkins from the Arizona Cardinals:
“In need of a No. 1 receiver to help Justin Fields continue developing, the Bears should pounce at the opportunity to land Hopkins seemingly at a discount. Chicago can take a quantity over quality approach and offer a third, fifth and sixth-round pick for Hopkins, trading away one of the extras they have in each round.
The most the Bears should offer is a third-round pick as it sounds like Hopkins’ market won’t be overflowing with offers. The less competition for him the better for the Bears, who should be holding onto their prime draft assets given where they are in their rebuild.”
There is speculation that the Bears could trade Fields and take Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud or Alabama’s Bryce Young with the top selection. Regardless of who starts at quarterback for Chicago in 2023, it’s imperative for GM Ryan Poles to bring in more pass-catching help.
Hopkins, a five-time Pro Bowler, would certainly address that need. When healthy, he’s good for 1,000 receiving yards a season. Despite being limited to nine games last year, he caught 64 passes for 717 yards and three touchdowns.
Hopkins, who will turn 31 years of age in June, has two years remaining on his contract with the Cardinals. Arizona is expected to deal the veteran star after a disappointing 4-13 finish in 2022.
