Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus.
Following the NFL’s announcement of an extraordinary increase of more than $30 million for the 2024 season, the Chicago Bears are ranked sixth in the league for salary-cap space. When NFL free agency starts next week, might a bigger piggy bank convince them to make a huge splash in the rich wide receiver market?
Without a doubt, Chicago’s greatest roster need for the 2024 campaign is a receiver. The Bears have a superstar in DJ Moore, but their only other signed receivers are Tyler Scott, Nsimba Webster, Collin Johnson, and Velus Jones Jr. Encouraging St. Brown, Trent Taylor, and Darnell Mooney are all pending unrestricted free agents.
The Bears may seek to sign a proven veteran to bolster Shane Waldron’s new passing attack in addition to taking advantage of the robust free agent market and potential opportunities the draft may offer to add reinforcements. If so, Michael Pittman Jr. might be a good fit, according to ESPN’s Aaron Schatz.
Pittman had a 70% catch percentage on 109 receptions for 1,152 yards during the previous season. He is a great complement to Moore (10 yards) due to his lower average depth of target (7.5 yards), Schatz wrote on March 1. Additionally, Pittman excels at drawing attention and opening gaps; last year, he was targeted on 28.9% of routes and ranked in the top 10, as opposed to Moore’s 25.2%.
WR Market Affected by Mike Evans’ Extension
For the Bears, Pittman would not be an affordable addition. If the 26-year-old is not franchise-tagged by the Indianapolis Colts before the league deadline of March 5th, Spotrac forecasts that he will receive a four-year, $92 million contract in 2024 free agency. In other words, the Bears would need to pay him more than they are now paying Moore in order to acquire him.
Pittman’s forecasts may also be a little low in light of the recent developments in the wide receiver market. With Mike Evans (two-year extension) and Tee Higgins (franchise tag) out of the picture in 2024, he will be the best wide receiver available in free agency. Additionally, Evans, 30, recently got a contract worth $26 million a year, which may encourage Pittman’s team to ask for a comparable sum of money for their youthful player.
It could work out for the Bears. They have approximately $75.47 million in cap space and approximately $63.48 million in effective cap space, according to Over the Cap. The effective cap space figure accounts for the money required to pay draft picks. There would be enough money left over, even in Pittman’s price range of $23 million or more, to make a big splash in free agency, even if they decide to franchise tag or extend Jaylon Johnson.
Would it make sense to sign Pittman, though?
Bears Can Get Assistance for Much Less MoneyÂ
When free agency opens up next Thursday, the Bears will undoubtedly make an impact at wide out. But a Pittman-sized impact? Ryan Poles’ style doesn’t seem to be this.
If the Bears want to add a seasoned receiver to their roster in 2024, they have less expensive choices to consider, and they probably will. Both Marquise Brown and Calvin Ridley will be far less expensive per year than Pittman, but Gabe Davis, 24, may be a better fit for Chicago considering that he has had his finest seasons playing as Stefon Diggs’ backup.
The Bears might also think about re-signing Mooney. Before extended periods of injuries and inconsistent play over the following two years cooled him off, he caught 81 catches for 1,055 yards in 2021. Poles has previously expressed his admiration for Mooney, and he may try to retain him for a year in order to see if he is still a good fit.
However, if Chicago makes a big move at receiver, it will probably be in the NFL draft.
With the ninth overall pick in the draft, the Bears are well-positioned to select one of the top three receivers in the class: Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, or Malik Nabers. Brian Thomas Jr., Keon Coleman, Xavier Worthy, and Troy Franklin are more players that could be available as Day 1 starters if they drop further into the first round or add an early-round second pick.
It is difficult to believe they would want to give Pittman the big bucks if they are confident they will land their guy—or guys—from the rookie class.
