The Chicago Bears’ receiving situation hasn’t always been one that’s inspired confidence. Once considered the place where “receivers go to die,” that mentality has changed with the complete overhaul performed by GM Ryan Pace.
It’s no secret that the Bears had the worst group of receivers in the NFL in 2017. Names like Kendall Wright, Tre McBride, Dontrelle Inman, Josh Bellamy and Markus Wheaton don’t exactly scare opposing defenses. Also, that receiving room isn’t exactly conducive to the success of developing a young quarterback. Which is why last offseason Pace went out and put weapons around Mitch Trubisky.
Pace signed the best free agent receiver on the market in Allen Robinson, who was coming off a knee injury but also happened to only be 24 years old. He also added a speedster in Taylor Gabriel and in the draft traded up for Anthony Miller, who was explosive last season — and that was just playing with one arm.
Then there’s Javon Wims, a seventh-round pick from a year ago that flashed potential. The Bears also signed Cordarelle Patterson and Marvin Hall this offseason to add even more explosive weapons to this offense.
Expectations are high for these Bears receivers heading into 2019. After a year of working in Matt Nagy’s offense and developing that chemistry with Trubisky, these receivers are poised for a breakout season.
But not everyone feels that way.
MMQB’s Conor Orr released his pre-draft position rankings for the 32 receiving corps in the league. And there was definitely a disrespect for these Bears receivers, who Orr has ranked 19th in the league.
19. Chicago Bears ($29.8 / $185.6 million)
Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Cordarrelle Patterson, Anthony Miller
Patterson is scary in Matt Nagy’s offense—another speed mismatch to sweep across the line. Robinson will be just 26 heading into this season.
While the Bears offense as a whole didn’t put up gaudy numbers in year one in Nagy’s offense, the arrow is definitely pointed up.
Robinson, who was coming off a torn ACL, led the Bears with 897 yards on 65 receptions and five touchdowns. Miller, who played through a dislocated shoulder since the third game of the season, led the team with seven touchdowns and had 36 receptions for 457 yards. Gabriel led the Bears with 71 receptions for 725 yards and two touchdowns.
Then there are the additions of Patterson and Hall and hopefully a bigger role for Wims that should add to this offense.
No longer is Chicago the place where receivers go to die. Perhaps it’s the place where receivers can learn to thrive.
