The Chicago Bears made a heavy investment in wide receiver last offseason with the signings of Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel in free agency and the trade to move back into the second round of last year’s NFL draft for Anthony Miller.
All three pass-catchers proved to be valuable contributors in 2018 and should be even better next season after a full year catching passes from Mitchell Trubisky in Matt Nagy’s offense.
But the Bears can’t ignore receiver this offseason.
Miller and Robinson both missed games in 2018 due to injury and despite the upside rookie Javon Wims showed in the preseason, there wasn’t a legitimate option on the roster who was capable of replacing either player.
Wims should develop into a bigger part of the offense in 2019, especially with Kevin White leaving via free agency, but there’s a veteran familiar with Nagy’s system who could be an appealing option for the club once shopping season kicks off.
Chiefs WR Chris Conley would be an ideal addition to the Bears’ wide receivers
Conley, 26, got lost in the shuffle in Kansas City last season after the Chiefs broke the bank for Sammy Watkins and featured Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in the passing game.
A former third-round pick out of Georgia (a program GM Ryan Pace has tapped into for two of his first-round picks), Conley is an explosive downfield threat who managed five touchdowns on just 32 receptions last season.
It makes so much sense for Conley to be on the Bears’ wishlist that Bleacher Report recently predicted he’d ink a one-year deal with Chicago.
In part because of injuries, Conley never reached his full potential in the Chiefs offense. However, he is a fast and physical receiver who can stretch the field and boost the running game as a blocker. He should fit right into Chicago’s offense, and Nagy—who spent two years at the Chiefs offensive coordinator—will know how to utilize him.
A receiver group of Robinson, Miller, Gabriel, Conley and Wims would be the best collection of wideouts the Bears have fielded in many, many years. It’s a move that makes a ton of sense and only increases the odds of a massive breakout year for Trubisky in 2019.
