Chris Beatty Is About To Be A Huge Bears Free Agency Asset
The Chicago Bears remade their coaching staff this off-season on the offensive side of the ball. One of their key additions was Chris Beatty, who was brought in to oversee the wide receivers moving forward. His vast experience was a big draw for them as they hope to finally improve at developing that position. However, events elsewhere may lead to Beatty becoming an unexpected asset in free agency. It concerns major salary cap issues happening out west with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Four of their players are carrying massive cap hits into this year, pushing the team $25 million into the red. Expectations are that some of them will either be traded or released to free up room as the new regime looks to overhaul the roster. Two of those players are wide receivers, Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The same two players Beatty coached over the past three seasons. That connection and the Bears’ pressing need for a wingman to play alongside D.J. Moore might be enough to get one of them to Chicago.
Chris Beatty understands the value of recruiting.
After all, he spent almost 20 years in college before joining the NFL. Luring kids into a program was essential for every coach on the staff. So Beatty knows what words to say. Allen and Williams both represent pros and cons as potential targets. Allen is still highly productive, coming off over 1200 yards last season. However, he turns 32 years old in April and has missed 11 games with various injuries over the past two years. Williams is 29, so there is a bit more tread on those tires. Sadly, he, too, has injury concerns, having missed 18 games since the start of 2022.
There is no doubt Chris Beatty will play a pivotal role in helping the Bears get either one to Chicago. It comes down to whatever their price ends up being. The medical issues will likely cause GM Ryan Poles to keep the numbers more team-friendly. The offense would improve if they could get Allen or Williams to accept those terms. Having a pairing of Moore and Allen or Moore and Williams would be great for a young quarterback hoping to find his way early in the NFL.