Lake Forest, Ill.– The Chicago Bears have been quietly active so far in free agency. After announcing the signing of defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, linebacker Nicholas Morrow, and interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick on Wednesday afternoon, the Bears added two more wide receivers, Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown on Thursday evening, reshaping the WR room.
St.Brown, who heads into his fifth NFL season was a sixth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in the 2018 NFL Draft. At just 25 years old, and familiar with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, he was a regular part of the Packers’ WR rotation in 2021. He enters his first season with the Bears with 37 career receptions, 543 receiving yards, and just one touchdown, averaging 14.7 yards per reception.
While it’s unlikely St.Brown open’s the regular season as the starter opposite third-year WR Darnell Mooney, he does provide some depth and could be the third or fourth string WR on the Bears depth chart which means being a contributor on special teams.
Signing Pringle, who’s just 28 years old, is about Bears general manager Ryan Poles bringing in a player who will be a leader in the locker room and help establish a healthy culture. 2021 was Pringle’s most productive season in the NFL, as the former undrafted free agent started five games, caught 42 receptions for 568 receiving yards, and five touchdowns while averaging 13.5 yards per reception. The Bears clearly view Pringle as a true deep threat and asset in the vertical passing game, an area where second-year quarterback Justin Fields has typically excelled.
The Bears WR room was set to undergo significant changes this offseason and despite the additions of Pringle and St.Brown, Poles may not be done just yet. With two second-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft in what is considered to be a deep WR class, the Bears will have an opportunity to solidify the entire WR room, giving Fields a deep arsenal of weapons in the passing game.