When you look at the Chicago Bears roster on paper, you’d like to think that even before the NFL draft commences, this team has a chance to make the playoffs. With QB Caleb Williams looking to build on a solid rookie season, he’ll need more protection from his offensive line, and support from the run game if he wants to take significant strides in year two.
The wide receiver corps shouldn’t be too much of a concern, even with Keenan Allen remaining unsigned. D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze could be a great duo going forward, and the Bears added some depth by recently signing former Washington Commander Olamide Zaccheaus, who is now third on the depth chart.
Although Zaccheaus is solid, a potential target has come up this week that could interest the Bears, and that is former first-round pick and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Amari Cooper.
Could the Chicago Bears take advantage of great value and sign Amari Cooper to fill the WR3 void?
With Amari Cooper remaining unsigned, and still only 30 years of age, the former Alabama standout could make a great third option for Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Not to mention, his play style is somewhat similar to Odunze’s, so a mentorship would likely be on the table as well.
Matt Lombardo of Between the Hashmarks wrote a column yesterday on Cooper’s fit with the Bears, and how it would make plenty of sense to at least entertain the idea, but also gave reasons as to why Cooper does remain on the market this late into free agency.
In a lot of ways, it’s anyone’s guess as to what exactly Amari Cooper is at this stage of his career. Cooper, 30, was a virtual nonfactor down the stretch last season, even with Josh Allen slinging it all over the yard. Dropping eight passes and only catching four touchdowns despite spending half the season in an otherwise prolific passing game is likely why he’s still available this late into free agency.
Lombardo makes good points, as it’s hard to determine what exactly Cooper’s role is in an NFL offense late in his career. He didn’t make enough splash plays to help the Buffalo Bills in their failed playoff run, and dropping eight passes just won’t cut it in today’s passing league.
Cooper has received interest from the Seattle Seahawks and has been linked to the New York Jets, but other than that, the buzz has been quiet. I’m not sure if it’s a player performance issue, or if Cooper is asking for too much money, but either way, he’s still available.
Why it makes sense for the Chicago Bears to sign Amari Cooper
On the flip side, as I mentioned earlier, the Bears could benefit from a guy like Cooper in the locker room. Over the past few seasons, the culture in Chicago has been lacking character and it has shown on the field.
Of course, this could change after bringing in yet another new head coach, but Ben Johnson has still only ever been an offensive coordinator. We all know that in the NFL, head coaching is just as much leading men in a locker room as it is the X’s and O’s.
Lombardo offered a counterpoint, as signing Cooper could be great value.
However, while D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze are, at minimum, an adequate receiving duo and at best potentially prolific in new head coach Ben Johnson’s scheme, the fact that Keenan Allen remains unsigned and Olamide Zaccheaus is Chicago’s No. 3 wide receiver speaks to the Bears’ lack of depth at the position. There’s no reason Cooper couldn’t push for Chicago’s No. 3 receiver role and be a value signing with upside.
The upside does outweigh the negative, especially if Cooper is given a smaller role. He’s not the number one target he used to be for the Raiders and Cowboys, but he could give you 25-30 catches and a few touchdowns, as well as help the younger guys in the locker room progress.
It’ll be interesting to see where Cooper ends up, that is assuming he does get signed in the future. The NFL is very cutthroat when you hit the “old” age of 30.
Chicago Bears need 3 quarterback prospects stock to be higher than ever come draft time
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