allen robinson

Assessing the Chicago Bears offense in week two

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Sunday afternoon proved to be fruitful for Chicago Bears fans. Not only did the Bears come away with a victory but Chicago also got an extended look at rookie quarterback Justin Fields for the first time in the regular season with veteran Andy Dalton leaving the game due to a knee injury.

Fields playing a majority of the game doesn’t mean he’ll be the starter moving forward but the Bears coaching staff now has to make a decision to make: Should the Bears continue to roll with Dalton if healthy or start Fields and bring the future to the present? The final call with be made by head coach Matt Nagy but Fields performance on Sunday while leading the offense could be enough to name the 11th overall pick the starter.

Chicago’s offense showed plenty of positives on Sunday, including the ability to consistently move the ball through the air with a vertical passing game but for every positive, there seemed to be a negative. Wide receivers Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney each dropped two touchdown passes that would’ve iced the game by at least two possessions.

Fields’ mobility was apparent throughout the afternoon, as the rookie rushed 10 times for 31 yards, including a 10-yard rush with 2:55 remaining in the fourth quarter to set the Bears up with a first-down to end the game. Chicago did run some RPO looks, ensuring that Cincinnati’s defense would need to account for running back David Montgomery on every play. Montgomery, who rushed 20 times for 61 yards had three receptions for 18 yards, impacting Chicago’s passing attack during a busy afternoon for the third-year running back.

Overall, Chicago’s offense put together a solid enough performance to warrant being able to compete with any opponent. The Bears may not be explosive as Nagy wants to be just yet, something that will come with time but week 2 was encouraging for both the present and future.

 

Chicago Bears: Why didn’t the Bears gameplan on offense work?

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andy dalton, bears

Just over 48 hours have passed since the Chicago Bears‘ week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and with the Bears now looking ahead to week 2, Chicago must figure out what went wrong against the Rams. On the surface, the Bears’ offensive gameplan included short, quick passes designed to get the ball out of quarterback Andy Dalton’s hands in just under 2.5 seconds.

Throughout the evening, the Bears’ offensive line did create solid running lanes for running back David Montgomery. The real reason the Bears left Los Angeles winless is due to the passing attack. Despite throwing 38 times, Dalton completed just 27 passes, with only one pass of 10+ yards being completed.

“I think just the kind of way this defense plays, they limit the big play and they make you just kind of move the ball down the field,” Dalton said via the Bears official YouTube Channel. “I mean you see the drives that we scored on, I mean I don’t know how many plays they were but you had to keep finding ways to get first downs and keep moving the ball all the way down the field. You’re not going to get very many explosives against this team.”

Further dissecting the Rams gameplan, limiting big plays means that wide receiver Darnell Mooney’s speed was accounted for by the Rams defense on every play. Wide receiver Allen Robinson was followed by Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey on multiple plays, limiting Robinson’s impact.

Essentially, as a result of the Rams deciding to defend the deep passing game, Los Angeles was content with giving the Bears quick, underneath throws because Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris knew that players like cornerback Jalen Ramsey were instinctive enough to breakdown what the Bears would be running.

Moving forward, for Chicago’s gameplans to work, the Bears will need to ensure that playcalls don’t look very predictable. Furthermore, allowing Dalton to hit deep passes via play-action could also go a long way towards opening up the Bears’ offense and maximizing talents fo players such as Mooney and Robinson.

Chicago Bears Mailbag: Justin Fields, Trenches talk, and more

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With the Chicago Bears‘ first preseason game set to take place on Saturday afternoon, Usayd Koshul answers various questions regarding the Bears in his latest mailbag.

1. Thoughts on the retooling process now that Justin Fields is QB1?

Really good actually. With Fields now in the fold, the Bears focus should shift to building around him on offense. As generic as that sounds, Chicago does have some players on offense in line for contract extensions next offseason. We all know star wide receiver Allen Robinson is due for a payday but don’t forget about OL James Daniels who’s heading into a contract year, along with running back David Montgomery who’ll be eligible for an extension next offseason.

Speaking of extensions, the Bears just picked up the fifth-year option for LB Roquan Smith. Here’s what I’ll say: Chicago needs to extend Robinson and Smith first, then focus on Daniels to keep the interior of the OL intact. To create additional cap space, designate OLB  Robert Quinn as a post-June first cut in 2022, a move that should create about $12M in cap space.

Fields adds flexibility to the Bears’ future plans. For a quarterback who’s got the potential to develop into a franchise-caliber player, all Fields must do is progress enough to the point where the Bears can lock up key players until it’s time to pay Fields, which will be a conversation for the 2023 or 2024 offseason.

 

2. Why can’t the organization commit to figuring out the OL?

Trust me, it’s a question that drives all of us crazy, myself included. If you’ve been listening to our weekly podcast, I’ve said that Ryan Pace neglecting the offensive line from 2017-2019 finally caught up to the Bears in 2020. Between that same span, the Bears drafted just two offensive lineman: Jordan Morgan (fifth-round in 2017) and James Daniels (second-round, 2018).

Pace has consistently shown that he’s always willing to go ahead and trust his own players, which is fine but at some point, you need to cut bait, rather than hold onto players too long, something that Pace has been notorious for doing. And guess what, Pace drafted two offensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft (Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom) making it the second time in seven seasons that Pace has taken two or more offensive lineman in the same NFL Draft.

The blame starts with Pace but ends with the coaching staff. Why hasn’t the coaching staff been able to get the most out of guys like Arlington Hambright or Lachavious Simmons? Matt Nagy’s staff has developed undrafted free agents such as Alex Bars and Sam Mustipher but Nagy being an offensive-minded coach needs to make investing in the OL a priority.

To close out this question, I went back and looked at draft classes of the Kansas City Chiefs since Andy Reid arrived in 2013, the same year that Nagy was appointed as the Chiefs QB coach. Reid has drafted 10 offensive lineman since 2013, including taking two or more offensive line three times (2013, 2014, and 2021), while also continuing to develop at a high rate.

3. Offensive Explosion and an NFC North title?

This would be sweet. After spending a few days attending training camp at Halas Hall, I can tell you that the Bears are ready to surprise some people heading into 2021. The defense appears to be due for a bounceback season but the offense needs to get going if the Bears are contending for the NFC North title in 2021.

Nothing is possible in the NFL, let’s be honest but if Andy Dalton is starting against the Los Angeles Rams in week one, Dalton will need to play nearly perfect every week if the Bears want to have a shot at winning the division. Justin Fields’ playmaking ability does give the Bears a slightly more explosive offense and that’s because Fields mobility and 4.4 40-yard dash makes the Bears offense lethal on RPO’s, especially when David Montgomery is in the backfield.

The Bears offense should be more explosive in 2021, regardless of who’s at quarterback, so buckle up because it’s about to be a fun season.

4. Young, emerging talent on the roster

First off, I really appreciate the two-part question here but I’m going to answer just the second question about young talent on the roster. There’s a lot so let’s start by looking at the Bears 2020 draft class. The Bears had seven draft picks and I do believe three players (Cole Kmet, Jaylon Johnson, and Darnell Mooney) will be part of the Bears’ core moving forward. Keep an eye on OLB Trevis Gipson and CB Kindle Vildor as two solid options who could develop into serviceable starters down the road.

I also like OL James Daniels, the 39th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. If Daniels can stay healthy and put together a consistent season at left guard, he could earn a nice payday next offseason, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the offensive line. By the way, don’t forget Sam Mustipher, who’s looked faster and stronger throughout training camp. Mustipher has an opportunity to be a mainstay on the Bears’ offensive line, giving the Bears their first long-term starter at the Center position since Olin Kreutz.

Perhaps the most intriguing player on this list is 2021 undrafted free agent Charles Snowden, who has drawn comparisons to former Bears’ first-round pick Leonard Floyd. Snowden has been praised at training camp by coaches, which means that he could wind up as a hidden gem that develops into a contributor as early as 2022.

5. Let’s talk about CB2?

It’s hard to pick a winner right now when discussing CB2 for the Bears. It’ll come down to either Kindle Vildor or Desmond Trufant but I’d lean more towards Vildor, who’s drawn praise from coaches this offseason for his work ethic. Prior to training camp, Trufant being the surefire CB2 was something many expected, however, Trufant is only signed to a one-year deal worth $1M, with no guaranteed money, making him an easy cap casualty.

“Kindle showed that he belongs in this league, last year and the reps that he took last year,” Defensive Coordinator Sean Desai said via the Bears official YouTube channel. “So I think he’s going to have a chance to compete at various positions. We’re going to have a lot of competition at the nickel as well. We’ve had guys that have played there in games.”

It’s still early but Vildor appears to be pulling ahead each day and with a strong showing in preseason and over the final two weeks of training camp, Vildor will have an opportunity to win the race outright.

 

Chicago Bears: Dalton’s chemistry with Robinson Apparent

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Allen Robinson, New York Giants

When the Chicago Bears signed quarterback Andy Dalton back in March, the expectation was that Dalton would lead like a veteran while upgrading the quarterback position. Through three weeks of training camp, Dalton’s leadership has been on display, holding players accountable while creating relationships that will define the 2021 season.

One such relationship involves Dalton and star wide receiver, Allen Robinson. Through three weeks of training camp, the QB-WR duo has gelled quicker than most expected, a relationship visible throughout practices.

“For me, I’ve obviously watched Allen throughout his career and to see what he’s been able to do and now actually getting to firsthand, see how he works, how he operates, to talk through how he likes to run routes, when he’s expecting the ball to come out on certain timings on these routes, I mean it’s been great, just the communication we’ve been able to have, I mean that’s what we’ve got to have this time of year,” Dalton said via the Bears official YouTube Channel.

Past experience will also play a big role throughout the season when discussing Dalton and Robinson, giving the Bears a veteran QB-WR duo that the franchise hasn’t seen since Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall headlined the offense nearly a decade ago.

“It’s so nice for both of us, we’ve played a lot of football, so we can talk through different looks and I think we both understand what we’re expecting to see,” Dalton said.

For an offense that’s starting from scratch in year four, the Bears know how valuable Dalton and Robinson’s connection could be when it comes to laying the foundation for the offense moving forward. A roster that features a perfect blend of younger players and veterans, what Robinson and Dalton do throughout training camp could be a defining relationship for Chicago.

31 questions to Bears camp: What will Mooney/Robinson accomplish?

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Allen Robinson, New York Giants

After a year of inconsistent quarterback play, Chicago Bears wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Allen Robinson will enter 2021 with Andy Dalton and Justin Fields at the most important position in sports. In 2021, both wide receivers combined for 163 receptions, 1881 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Set to play 2021 on the franchise tag, Robinson has been labeled a “pro” by the Bears coaching staff. Entering his eighth season, Robinson should have another big year, with the goal of securing a long-term contract extension next offseason. Mooney’s speed makes him a major asset in the vertical passing game for the Bears, allowing for wide receivers and tight ends to get open underneath, giving Fields and Dalton quick and easy completions.

Both Robinson and Mooney will hope to make the jump towards becoming one of the NFL’s top wide receiver duos. When Chicago’s offense is clicking at a high level, something that starts with consistently good quarterback play, both wide receivers are capable of catching 100-plus receptions a season, along with 1000-yard seasons.

“To me, I didn’t exceed everything I wanted to accomplish but going into year two, I just want to be more of a threat to the defenders and more of an asset to the team,” Mooney said this offseason via the Bears official YouTube Page.

Robinson accounted for 68 first downs in 2020, being the main reason that Chicago’s sluggish offense was able to move the chains at times while accounting for 319 yards after the catch. In the same categories, Mooney accounted for 33 first downs and 254 yards after the catch. With the Bears adding more speed to the offense this year, production in both categories mentioned should increase, creating additional opportunities for both players.

As the Bears continue to prepare for the 2021 regular season, a year that will be defined by quarterback play, Robinson and Mooney can play a big role in how the Bears’ 2021 season turns out.

Chicago Bears: Biggest questions at the WR position

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darnell mooney, bears

As the Chicago Bears report to training camp in exactly two weeks and the wide receiver position is perhaps the most intriguing on the offense. Besides Allen Robinson, the Bears feature 2020 fifth-round pick, Darnell Mooney, as well as fourth-year wide receiver Anthony Miller. Add in speedsters Damiere Byrd and Marquise Goodwin and head coach Matt Nagy is looking to have his offense take another step forward with quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Justin Fields.

The Bears depth chart also features Javon Wims, Riley Ridley, rookie Dazz Newsome, Rodney Adams, Thomas Ives, Chris Lacy, and Jester Weah, creating some intriguing competition for the final two or three roster spots.

As the Bears report to Halas Hall, what are some questions at the wide receiver position? Let’s find out.

1) Can Anthony Miller finally live up to the draft status?

Heading into 2021, Miller is on the Bears roster bubble with one final shot to prove that he belongs with the Bears. Year three saw Miller catch 49 receptions for 485 yards but just two touchdowns. Miller should be guaranteed a roster spot, however, to truly make an impact, he’ll need to prove that he’s ready to go the extra mile to really make a serious case for getting some legitimate playing time.

Mooney’s emergence last season wasn’t good news for Miller, who essentially lost the starting job. Chicago is still searching for a productive slot wide receiver, meaning the opportunity for Miller to turn his career around still exists, perhaps more than most are willing to admit.

2) Will Byrd and Goodwin push for a starting spot?

Bears head coach Matt Nagy wants speed on offense, the main reason Goodwin and Byrd were brought in. Goodwin opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID concerns but when he last played in 2019, he averaged 15.5 yards per reception, showing off his big-play ability. Byrd spent last season with the New England Patriots, totaling 47 receptions for 604 yards, averaging 12.9 yards per reception.

With uncertainty at who will be the starting slot WR for the Chicago, it’s quite possible Goodwin or Byrd push for a starting spot, especially if Miller doesn’t perform. Beyond Robinson and Mooney, the competition at WR is wide open, giving Byrd and Goodwin an equal chance of winning, especially if Chicago opts to run more three-receiver sets on offense, grouped with 11 personnel heading into 2021.

3) What will the duo of Robinson and Mooney accomplish in 2021?

A year after combining for 163 receptions, 1881 yards, and 10 touchdowns, the duo of Robinson and Mooney could see a major jump due to more consistent quarterback play from Andy Dalton and Justin Fields. Every sign coming from Halas Hall throughout OTA’s and minicamp seems to signal that Nagy wants to run a pass-first offense, giving both wide receivers more opportunities.

Dalton and Fields have both shown the ability to hit the deep ball consistently enough to the point where Mooney’s speed will finally be used to the fullest extent. Both quarterbacks also showcase good accuracy and the ability to fit throws into tight windows, giving Robinson a chance on each play.

Robinson and Mooney could certainly burst onto the scene in 2021, becoming one of the NFL’s top wide receiver duos. The talent and potential was on display throughout 2020 but with better decision-making at quarterback, both players should see a reasonable jump in production.

Dear Ryan Pace: Please, bring back Allen Robinson

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Allen Robinson, New York Giants

At the beginning of the off-season, many wondered if Chicago Bears superstar wide receiver Allen Robinson would be suiting up for the team again in the 2021 season. Ultimately, Allen Robinson signed a franchise tag tender worth $18m, keeping him in Chicago for one more year to many fans’ surprises. So the question was no longer will Robinson stay in 2021, but will a contract be negotiated for the 2022 season?

The deadline to negotiate a contract from a franchise tender is July 15th. As of writing, it is July 5th. That means the Chicago Bears only have 10 days to negotiate new terms with the best wide receiver and offensive talent on their roster.

Is there any hope?

Honestly, not a whole lot. The Bear’s front office has been tranquil when asked about negotiations, and Allen Robinson hasn’t indicated that things are going over smoothly. When asked on an episode of NFL Total Access on Wednesday, Robinson stated, “We’ll see.” Not exactly what Bears fans had hoped to hear.

It’s not all bad

Robinson has numerously reiterated his commitment to the team and this season. Continuing in his talk with NFL Total Access, Robinson reaffirmed his commitment to the 2021 season, “How can I help put this team, how can I help put this offense in a better situation than we were in last year?”

Robinson will certainly assist the offense in reaching new heights. His talent is noteworthy. PFF ranked Robinson the 4th best receiver in the NFL heading into the 2021 season. However, it is crucial to note he has achieved this level of play with inconsistent and bottom-tier quarterback play. Insert Justin Fields.

The Bears must retain Allen Robinson.

With Fields in town, the Bears need to find a way to keep Robinson. The cap situation is unforgiving, and the organization was forced to release their pro-bowl cornerback Kyle Fuller in March. Regardless of how painful it may be, successful teams in today’s league have a dynamic duo between mobile big arm quarterbacks and incredibly athletic wideouts. I commented on this earlier last month. It would be a waste to bring in Justin Fields, pair him with Allen Robinson for a year, and then toss Robinson to the curb.

So please, Ryan Pace. Bring A-Rob back. We need him. Justin Fields needs him.

Making sense of PFF’s ranking of the Chicago Bears roster

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bears, matt nagy

If you’ve been in tune with what’s going on with the Chicago Bears this offseason, much of the talk revolves around new quarterback Justin Fields, the decision to release CB Kyle Fuller, and whether or not the Bears defense can play at a high level heading into 2021 with edge rusher Khalil Mack leading the way.

Pro Football Focus released their annual roster rankings ahead of training camp and Chicago was ranked 23rd overall, ahead of teams such as Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders. Chicago was also the third-ranked team in the NFC North. The Bears’ division rivals were ranked as follows: Green Bay Packers (sixth overall), Minnesota Vikings (ninth overall), and Detroit Lions (31st overall).

Three factors are analyzed for all 32 NFL franchises throughout the article: Biggest strength, biggest weakness, and X-factor. In Chicago’s context, biggest strength was Khalil Mack, biggest weakness was the decision to move on from Fuller, and x-factor was Fields.

Let’s breakdown whether or not each of the three points listed above in the article were accurate or not.

Biggest strength

Earlier this offseason, Bears GM Ryan Pace alluded to how Chicago’s strength on the roster is the defense. However, keep in mind this was before the release of Fuller. Mack is still a force to be dealt with, despite his stats over the last two seasons not reflecting how much of an impact he’s really had.

Besides just Mack, Chicago’s front seven is still a force to be dealt with. Returning in 2021 are names like Akiem Hicks, Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Eddie Goldman, and Bilal Nichols, giving Chicago an opportunity to terrorize quarterbacks. Overall, PFF isn’t necessarily wrong when naming Mack a strength, however, it’s hard to ignore the rest of the Bears front seven when discussing what the biggest strength on the roster is.

Biggest weakness

Despite not directly stating that CB was a weakness for the Bears, the article implies that CB is a weakness. This is accurate. Chicago did rely on Fuller, a two-time Pro Bowler to hold the fort down, despite drafting a CB in round six for three consecutive years (Duke Shelley, 2019), Kindle Vildor (2020), and Thomas Graham Jr., (2021).

The presumptive starter opposite 2020 second-round pick Jaylon Johnson is expected to be veteran Desmond Trufant, who started six games for the Lions in 2020. Chicago must also figure out who the starting slot CB will be, with the franchise releasing veteran CB Buster Skrine this offseason.

X Factor

Fields was labeled as the x-factor for the Bears, however, the Bears should be focused on Fields development rather than winning games. Another x-factor to consider would be Chicago’s offensive line, which has been inconsistent over the last two seasons. Chicago made overhauling the offensive line a priority by drafting Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom, while retaining Germain Ifedi, and adding Elijah Wilkinson via free agency.

If Chicago’s offensive line plays well, there is a legitimate case to be made for running back David Montgomery to have 2000 yards from scrimmage and more consistent quarterback play from Fields and veteran Andy Dalton which should lead to increased production from Chicago’s wide receiver duo of Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney.

Justin Fields-Allen Robinson will define Chicago Bears offense in 2021

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Entering 2021, there are multiple factors that will define the Chicago Bears season but the connection between wide receiver Allen Robinson and rookie quarterback Justin Fields will be a major storyline. As Fields enters his first season in Chicago, Robinson is entering year four, which could also be his last should the Bears not sign him to a contract extension.

Fields isn’t just a rookie quarterback for the Bears, he’s a major selling point. With his presence, the Bears could use him as part of a sales pitch to keep Robinson around should the Bears ever decide to reopen contract extension talks with Robinson’s party. When looking at Fields development, Robinson plays a part too, giving the 11th overall pick a stable and consistent weapon during his rookie season.

From a production standpoint, Robinson has totaled 255 receptions for 3151 yards, and 17 touchdowns over the last three seasons. The eighth-year pro has also averaged 12.4 yards per reception since 2018, despite average quarterback play which many believe is hindering his ability to be among the game’s best receivers.

“From obviously watching the tape, you know, rather, you know how obviously how many yards and catches I had, you know, obviously there are some plays and some things that you want to get back,” Robinson said via the Bears official YouTube channel.

When Robinson mentions that there are plays he’d like to have back, he’s referring to missed reads that led to missed throws, which led to decreased production. The hope for Robinson is that more consistent quarterback play leads to an increase in production. This would mean Robinson earns a nice payday next offseason, with the hope that Fields is Robinson’s quarterback of the future.

The Bears know what they have in Robinson and the rapport that the star wide receiver develops with Fields could be a big indicator of what’s to come in Chicago throughout the 2021 season but also well beyond.

The Chicago Bears’ wide receiver competition is heating up

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darnell mooney, bears

The wide receiver position and the Chicago Bears are generally not on good speaking terms. In the last decade, the Bears only had two household names: Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. The talented duo assisted the Jay Cutler era Bears, with both ranking in the top 10 in total receiving yards in the franchise’s history. After their departure, however, the Bears were left with few options at the position. It would be three seasons until the Bears found an answer to their wide receiver dilemma.

In 2019, Ryan Pace brought in former Jacksonville Jaguar Allen Robinson as one of the biggest free-agent signings of the year. Robinson, fresh off of an ACL injury, Robinson was looking to make teams pay. Ryan Pace and the Bears, fresh off of a 3-13 record, looked to give their young quarterback (Mitch Trubisky) some weapons. Pace then brought in speedy slot receiver Taylor Gabriel, a flex tight end in Michael Burton, and drafted a running back that would turn out to be game-changing in the passing game in Tariq Cohen.

Fast forward to 2021. Only Allen Robinson and Tariq Cohen remain. Draft picks like Anthony Miller in 2018, and Darnell Mooney in 2020 have established a foundation of talent at the position. Fortunately, the Bears were able to retain Allen Robinson on the franchise tag. However, with the deadline to agree on a contract extension rapidly approaching on July 17th and no negotiations occurring, it appears that this could be Allen Robinson’s last season in Chicago.

Heading into the 2021 NFL draft, the wide receiver position lacked depth on the Bears’ roster. So, a week before the draft, the Bears brought in Marquese Goodwin.  Goodwin, who opted out of the 2020 NFL season, is known for his explosive speed. In fact, Goodwin is such an explosive athlete that he performed in the 2012 Summer Olympics for Team USA in the long jump.

As of April 28th, the first night of the NFL draft, the Bears’ WR room looked like this:

Allen Robinson

Darnell Mooney

Anthony Miller

Marquese Goodwin

Javon Wims

Riley Ridley

Jester Weah

Thomas Ives

Khalil McClain

Rodney Adams

When the Bears traded up to pick star quarterback Justin Fields, it only became inevitable that the Bears look at the wide receiver position to assist their young quarterback. However, it wasn’t until the 6th round that the Bears took a wide receiver off the board – Dazz Newsome, the talented athlete out of North Carolina. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken collarbone requiring surgery but is expected to return in time for the pre-season.

A few weeks later, the Bears announced they added more speed to the position, with the addition of Damiere Byrd. Byrd has elite separation ability and complements Justin Field’s deep ball accuracy.

As rookie minicamp started, the Bears brought in Chris Lacy for a tryout. Liking what they saw, they signed him to a deal as well. Unfortunately,  Chris Lacy’s time at the Lions was relatively uneventful, and he’s little more than a depth piece.

As of June 22nd, the Bears’ WR room looked like this:

Allen Robinson

Darnell Mooney

Anthony Miller

Marquese Goodwin

Damiere Byrd

Dazz Newsome

Rodney Adams

Chris Lacy

Javon Wims

Riley Ridley

Jester Weah

Thomas Ives

Khalil McClain

Putting it all together

This WR room is much bigger than it was at the beginning of the off-season, which is good. The Bears have options. Anthony Miller was on the hot seat entering the off-season, and some still believe he sits on the bubble. With this year being a contract year for Miller, he will have to prove to the front office that he deserves an extension. I’m convinced he will get what he wants.

The Bears currently have thirteen wide receivers on the roster, and teams will typically carry six into the season. Meaning seven of these names will no longer be Chicago Bears when September rolls around.

Realistically, the Bears didn’t bring Marquese Goodwin and Damiere Byrd in without expecting them to be on the full 53-man roster. I also don’t see how Jester Weah or Riley Ridley out talent them onto the roster.

For those familiar, I already think the connection between Fields and Robinson will set the league ablaze. But I also think that Anthony Miller will take the next step into his progression and that Damiere Byrd will have a breakout season with Fields arm talent.

Now we are ways away from the 53-man roster deadline, but I’m comfortable in sharing my projected roster after the Pre-season ends.

My Projected WR Room as of August 31st

  1. Allen Robinson
  2. Darnell Mooney
  3. Anthony Miller
  4. Dameire Byrd
  5. Marquese Goodwin
  6. Dazz Newsome

But what are your thoughts? Who gets cut? Who’s the #3? Let me know.