Chicago Bears Training Camp: Previewing the Wide Receivers

Our series previewing the Chicago Bears position groups as they head into training camp continues as we take a look at the wide receivers.

The Chicago Bears wide receivers corps is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. Looking at the unit, there are some good players. When you see their production on the field, however, there is only one proven player who we know will come through.

Last season was a continuation of a pattern for the Bears’ wide receivers. Allen Robinson received 24.6 percent of the passing targets. In 2019, he received 26.5 percent of the targets. That constituted the majority of the targets for any receiver on the roster. In 2020, the second-most targeted receiver was Darnell Mooney with 16 percent. In 2019, it was Tarik Cohen with 17.9 percent.

The Bears need more production from players other than Robinson and Mooney in 2021. If the defenses try to key on them, the other guys need to step up and make the opposition pay for that. Let’s take a look at the unit.

The starters

Robinson and Mooney likely start at the outside. Robinson returns on the franchise tag. He and the team failed to come up with a new contract. He’ll earn about $18 million this season. The question now is whether the Bears can convince him to sign a new deal with the team. They could tag him again, but it’ll cost them around $22 million to do so. He is Chicago’s best receiving target so it is imperative for them to keep him.

Whatever happens, Robinson is a professional and he’ll continue to play well. Let’s see if the improved quarterback production the team expects happens. Andy Dalton will be the best quarterback to throw to him once he throws his first pass to him. He’s had quarterbacks like Blake Bortles and Mitchell Trubisky target him. Despite that, he’s been very productive. In fact, last season he became only the fifth Chicago Bears receiver to record back-to-back 1,000+ receiving yards. We’re all dying to see how he performs with a decent quarterback.

Robinson’s importance to the team will come through once rookie Justin FIelds takes over. Robinson will be the key to the rookie’s development. He’ll teach Fields a lot about what a receiver needs from his quarterback.

On the other side, the team expects a breakout season from Mooney. He had a pretty good rookie campaign, unseating Anthony Miller as the next top receiver. He has blazing speed (4.38 40-time) so that should extend the defenses. When that happens, space opens up underneath for Robinson and the tight ends.

Last season, there were a number of plays in which he was wide open downfield but the quarterback wasn’t able to get him the ball. If some of those plays are completed this season, it’ll break open some games.

There will be a battle for the slot receiver spot. Miller will be in a battle with Damiere Byrd. Byrd had 47 catches for 604 yards and a touchdown last season for the New England Patriots, their second-leading receiver. He’s another guy who adds some speed to the offense. He recorded a 4.28 40-time.

Miller is trying to fight for his football life. After a promising rookie season, he’s been a disappointment. He’s been too hot-and-cold. He’ll have a great game one week then disappear for the next three. The coaching staff expected a lot from him but are now at their wit’s end.

Many people expected Miller to be gone long before training camp started. He made it, though. Now he has to show up and do the things that will keep him on the roster. If not, he could be out and looking for a new job elsewhere.

The backups

There are some players also looking to extend their careers on the roster. They’re hoping to make it in backup roles. Riley Ridley and Javon Wims want to finally get their chance to show they can make more contributions on the offense than just garbage time or a play to give someone a break. Ridley, the Bears’ fourth-round pick in 2019, played in just 10 games and has 10 catches.

Wims was the Bears’ seventh-round pick in 2018. He played in a few more games, 33, but only has 28 catches. Many know him more for his ejection for throwing punches and missing a wide-open touchdown pass in the playoff game against the New Orleans Saints last season.

The wildcard is rookie Dazz Newsome. He gives the Bears another speedy receiver (4.38 40-time). The Bears drafted him in the sixth round but he has some talent that could open eyes. He has a chance at training camp to make an impression and see some considerable time on the field.

The verdict

One thing the Chicago Bears prioritized this offseason was adding speed. They say speed kills and now the Bears have plenty of it. They have multiple players who can break out and make big plays. The offense has better quarterbacks who can throw the deep ball more accurately than it has in the recent past.

As I mentioned earlier, the threat of the big play opens things up underneath. This makes Robinson even more dangerous. In addition to getting the yards, he made a lot of contested catches. Defenders were always stuck on him. Now, with other receivers to receive attention, Robinson can make easier catches and make big plays himself.

If Robinson gets more help this season, this wide receivers corps can make a huge improvement and be a big positive. We have to see that happen on the field and not just on paper, however.