The Chicago Bears are in transition. That isn’t a phrase fans are fond of hearing, given how familiar it’s been over the past decade. Two winning seasons since 2012 can grate on the nerves. Their most recent rebuild attempt showed some promise but fizzled out after peaking in 2018. New GM Ryan Poles doesn’t believe the roster was worth salvaging outside of some key younger players. He has already begun the rebuilding process.
That means more changes are likely coming before the regular season arrives in September. The biggest opportunity he’ll have left comes at the end of August. That is when every team will be required to cut down their rosters to the 53-man limits per NFL rules. Sometimes a few interesting names become available during such a culling. Here are a few ESPN listed as possible options when the time comes that should interest the Bears.
Chicago Bears could have interesting options on the waiver wire.
Denzel Mims (WR, New York Jets)
Mims was a polished and exciting prospect coming out of Baylor with two 1,000-yard seasons in three years. He has 6’3 size and 4.38 speed. Things looked promising during his rookie year in 2020, as he made 23 catches for 357 yards in nine games. Then the Jets switched coaching staffs, and his playing time reduced drastically. After the team selected another wide receiver in the 1st round, it is evident he might be on his way out. That doesn’t mean, at 24 years old, he is a lost cause. Some players just need a fresh start.
All 10 of Denzel Mims’ catches thru 3 games pic.twitter.com/4iAhrvylkq
— Matt (@mgnss26) November 12, 2020
Bobby Evans (OL, Los Angeles Rams)
Blocking in the wide-zone scheme the Bears are planning to install isn’t easy. It puts a lot of responsibility on the offensive linemen both mentally and athletically. That is why teams that aim to implement often target players that already have experience in it. Evans is one such example. He’s spent three years as a backup and spot starter with the Rams. Head coach Sean McVay runs a version of the wide-zone. That team also has plenty of depth along the offensive line. If Evans is out, he will be a great backup option at guard and tackle.
Max Scharping (OG, Houston Texans)
Having a second offensive lineman on this list should drive the point home. The Chicago Bears front five is in flux. No position makes that clearer than right guard, where no definitive favorite holds the starting job even with training camp approaching. Scharping shifted from tackle to guard when he reached the NFL out of Northern Illinois. Once the Texans settled him on the right side, he played serviceable football. With a new regime, it seems he might have to find a new home. In the absence of good, the Bears can and should settle for serviceable. Scharping has the athletic traits to fit the new offense.
DEION JONES. PICK-6 FOR THE WIN. #ATLvsTB pic.twitter.com/8pKNOa0jHs
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2019
Deion Jones (OLB, Atlanta Falcons)
Not too long ago, Jones was in the conversation for one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL. Not only was he a good chase-and-tackle player, but he was arguably the best in the league in coverage situations. For whatever reason, last season was a bit bumpy for him. That doesn’t mean he is in danger of falling off a cliff. He still had 137 tackles last year. Considering the Bears’ iffy linebacker situation behind Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow, he is somebody that would be a great fit in Matt Eberflus’ new defense.
Justin Layne (CB, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Cornerback is always a valued position. It is difficult to understand why Layne hasn’t gotten more playing time in Pittsburgh. Many experts were high on him coming out of Michigan State. He has excellent size, quickness, ball skills, and he plays physically. His speed is average but that shouldn’t scare the Bears away. Their type of defense can still make great use of such a player. If the Steelers decide to move on, he will make for an exciting reclamation project which still has significant upside.
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