The Bears have “real” interest in free agent wide receiver Albert Wilson, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).
Wilson, 24, spent the first four years of his career in the Chiefs working under now-Bears head coach Matt Nagy, so he’d clearly offer scheme familiarity if he were to land in Chicago. Indeed, Kansas City general manager Brett Veach even pointed to the Bears as a potential Wilson destination when asked about the free agent’s prospects of leaving the Chiefs, as Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets.
Perhaps more than any club in the NFL, the Bears desperately need to add receivers this offseason. Kendall Wright and Dontrelle Inman are both headed for unrestricted free agency, Kevin White and Cameron Meredith are coming off injury, and Markus Wheaton seems likely to be released. Chicago traded up to acquire quarterback Mitch Trubisky in 2017, and the team now must bring in weapons for its franchise signal-caller.
2017 marked the best overall campaign for Wilson, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Last season, Wilson posted a career-high in receptions (42), yards (554), and touchdowns (three). Among receivers with fewer than 50 receptions, Wilson ranked eighth in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA, meaning he was extremely effective on a per-play basis despite his lack of volume.
Yay, another bad receiver.
define bad.
One that isn’t good.
He could barely make an impact on another team in desperate need of wide receivers – and that was one with a functioning offense.
I don’t mind him as a flyer for a #3. Maybe bring back Inman or Wright and hope one or both can be reliable pass catchers, but if the Bears come out of this offseason with Wilson, Ridley / Sutton and White as their 1-2-3, I’ll be severely disappointed. I didn’t mind them bargain bin shopping last year with the one year deals, but now it’s time to get their franchise QB some legit help and put some of that cap space to good use.