The Chicago Bears look good at wide receiver for the first time in what feels like forever. D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen might be the most formidable tandem they’ve employed in over a decade, and that is without mentioning 9th overall pick Rome Odunze. It is a group loaded with potential. Caleb Williams should have no issues completing passes on a regular basis if all three stay healthy. However, things get a bit less certain looking beyond them. Chicago’s depth is littered with question marks.
Velus Jones is more of a kick return specialist at this point. The same goes for new arrival DeAndre Carter. Second-year man Tyler Scott had an up-and-down rookie season, so his value is unknown. Dante Pettis is unreliable. Collin Johnson is a fringe roster guy. Freddie Swain does have a history of playing well under Shane Waldron, but he’s hardly a proven commodity. Chicago might do well to keep adding to the position. Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report has the perfect name to solve this problem.
“The Bears may not like what they see out of the second-tier trio and look to bring in a veteran to fill the No. 4 wide receiver spot.
Hunter Renfrow’s career dropped off over the last few seasons in Las Vegas, but he fits what Chicago could use to complement Moore, Odunze and Allen.
Renfrow could be utilized in third-down situations in the tight pockets of space in the middle of the field.
The Bears just need a possession-based wide out like Renfrow to give Williams one more option in certain situations.
He certainly would not be an every-down player, but he could have some use when the Bears need to pick up first downs.”
Start with the obvious. In 2021, he made the Pro Bowl with 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns for the Las Vegas Raiders. Unfortunately, a change in the coaching staff ruined his chances of following up on that success. He’s not the biggest or fastest, but he’s a crafty route runner with great hands who does his biggest damage from the slot. He also has extensive experience as a punt returner. Teammates and coaches laud his intelligence, always seeming to make the right play at the right time.
Renfrow is only 28 years old. He hasn’t signed with any teams yet. That means he should be relatively cheap to acquire. Having a former Pro Bowler still in his prime as your #4 wide receiver can’t possibly be a bad thing for the Chicago Bears. Renfrow’s innate ability to find space in the red zone is one major benefit. Of his 17 career touchdowns, all but two were from outside the 15-yard line. Throwing touchdowns in that area was a constant issue for the Bears over the past few years. He can help.
