The Chicago Bears have been an active team in free agency this offseason and they could continue to look at options on the market, including names like Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings, Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks, as the team still has a need at wide receiver after trading Brandon Marshall and this comes as the team has a top 10 pick and could target Amari Cooper or Kevin White.
John Fox took over as head coach for Marc Trestman after the Bears missed the playoffs for the second straight season and he spoke at the NFL owners meeting about what needs the team still has to fill. According to Michael C. Wright, the team still would like to add depth at wide receiver and they also have needs on the offensive line and in the secondary. The Bears just added Ray McDonald and signed Mason Foster in free agency and that should help the defense bounce back after a tough 2014 season.
The team signed Eddie Royal in free agency and there is a chance Fox and general manager Ryan Pace could look at adding another veteran wide receiver. Wright reports that the team likely will target Amari Cooper or Kevin White if they go after a wide receiver in the draft and if they look at free agency, Michael Crabtree and Greg Jennings could be potential options. Jennings has had interest from the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers, while Crabtree visited with the Dolphins in Miami.
Jennings was released by the Minnesota Vikings this offseason after two years with the team and he could be an option for the Dolphins, Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars along with the Bears. Jennings had 59 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns last season and he has met with the Panthers already and has had interest from the Dolphins.
Earlier in the offseason Matt Forte spoke to ESPN Chicago about his contract status, saying that he hopes the team and his reps can come to an agreement before he hits free agency. Michael C. Wright reports that Forte is headed into the final year of his contract and he could be a trade target for teams if the two sides don't work out an extension. Forte is coming off of a big season, but he is going to be 30 this year.
The Bears have a top 10 pick in the draft after winning just five games last season and they could look at taking a wide receiver with that pick. NFL.com reports that the team could consider taking Marcus Mariota if he slips to number seven, but most mock drafts have him not getting past the Jets at six. Amari Cooper is considered to be the top receiver in the draft and he is coming off of a monster year. Cooper had 124 catches for 1727 yards and 16 touchdowns for Alabama last season.
White is another target and he could end up going high after putting up a great workout at the combine. White had 10 touchdowns last season for West Virginia while making 109 catches for 1447 yards. The Bears defense was a mess under Trestman and now Fox comes in with Vic Fangio as his coordinator and they are looking to revamp the unit. The Bears made an early splash in free agency with Pernell McPhee and now they have added Foster to the linebacker group.