It’s the busiest week ever for NFL free agency, and the Bears could make themselves a much better team by making one or two aggressive moves.
If the Bears want Jay Cutler to lead them to a Super Bowl, they need to give him someone to throw to.
They desperately need a big play receiver. And there are several out there as of Wednesday afternoon. But they’re going fast.
Sidney Rice, Roy Williams, Braylon Edwards, Steve Breaston, and Mike Sims-Walker are all available, and every one of these guys would be a major upgrade over the current #1 receiver.
Come to think of it, who is the Bears top wide receiver? Devin Hester? Johnny Knox? Earl Bennett?
All small, fast guys who might flourish in a Mike Martz system opposite a big strong target. But the Bears are missing that big, strong target.
I’d even argue that it’s worth taking a chance on a Plaxico Burress or a Randy Moss. Could that backfire? Sure. But why not take the chance. The Bears passing game will not carry them without another big target, and Matt Forte isn’t a guy who can run all day between the tackles.
The Bears have $34 million in salary cap space. Enough to pay (maybe even overpay) any of the big name receivers still hoping for a big payday.
And I promise Jay Cutler will get over his broken heart a lot quicker if you get him a new best friend he can throw to 10+ times a game.
The Bears have to throw the ball to win. So go get a guy to throw it to. Before they’re all gone.
And on the topic of free agency, the offensive line could use a little work.
Rookie OT Gabe Carmimi should help, but Olin Kreutz is a free agent, and at 34 years old, I’m not sure how much money he’s worth. If you don’t bring him back for 1 or 2 more years, you’ve got to replace him. Like Brian Urlacher on defense, Kruetz has been the one constant on the Bears offensive for the last decade,
Finally, re-sign safety Daniel Manning. He’s a young play-maker on a defense that’s getting old. And we all know what that defense is capable of.
