Chicago Bears’ offense has talent at skill positions entering 2022 season

The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles have come under fire this offseason for the apparent failure to provide quarterback Justin Fields with the necessary support to succeed in his second season. Analysts like ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky have been especially critical of the Bears’ strategy.

“If Justin Fields plays really well this year he will be in the MVP conversation.”@danorlovsky7 has high hopes for Fields, but isn’t certain he has the tools to reach them. #KJM pic.twitter.com/o7z2VrTqiD

— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) May 9, 2022

“(Fields”) top two pass-catching threats are a second-round tight end and a third-round wide receiver that they took, high draft-wise, a third-round 24, 25-year old wide receiver they took out of Tennessee,” Orlovksy said of the lack of weapons on the Bears” offense. “For us to expect (Justin Fields) to come in and play really well this year? You’re kidding yourselves.”

Chicago Bears have more talent on offense than given credit for

Using draft pedigree to assess talent level overlooks players like wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. It was the same year the Philadelphia Eagles selected Jalen Reagor 21st overall. He was drafted after Denzel Mims (New York Jets), Van Jefferson (Los Angeles Rams), and Laviska Shenault (Jacksonville Jaguars). If a re-draft was conducted today, Mooney would be selected ahead of all of them. In fact, he might be a first-rounder.

Why is Mooney being so grossly overlooked? Why isn’t running back David Montgomery and his expected impact as a receiver ever mentioned? And while it’s true Velus Jones Jr. is 25 years old, it’s also true that the NFL is at a crossroads with second contracts for wide receivers. It’s within the range of outcomes that by the time Jones is scheduled to hit free agency, teams will treat pass-catchers like running backs. They might use the draft to restock rather than spend big on the open market. And if that happens, it doesn’t matter how old Jones is right now.

Orlovsky did mention Cole Kmet, who at 23 years old, is primed for a breakout season in 2022. He has a similar skill set to Baltimore Ravens star Mark Andrews, and if utilized properly by offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, his production will be comparable too.

It’s true Poles didn’t spend big money in free agency, instead opting to sign prove-it guys like wide receiver Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown. Pringle, like Mooney and Kmet, is being ignored as a quality pro whose best football lies ahead. In fact, Pringle has a better chance of producing quality starter numbers than any rookie Chicago could’ve had in the second round. He’s already proven capable of being a big-time playmaker during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, but now that he’s a Bear, he’s… invisible?

Groupthink dominating the anti-Chicago Bears narrative

So, what gives? Is this just groupthink dominating football media right now? Is it because Bears fans are a loyal bunch who will hate-click articles? Whatever the motivation, it’ll be interesting to see how the narrative shifts once some of the Bears’ skill players begin producing this fall.

Sure, the Bears won’t be a popular offense that’s targeted by fantasy football players. But Fields does have a quality backfield in Montgomery and Khalil Herbert to hand the ball to. He’ll have three primary wide receivers with field-flipping speed, a tight end who’s a walking mismatch, and a 6-foot-5 receiver in the red zone. Not to mention, his left and right legs.

And let’s not forget what month we’re in. It’s May. There’s plenty of time for Poles to continue his roster evaluation and sign a veteran or two. Maybe it’ll be a wide receiver. Perhaps he’ll determine more veteran leadership is needed along the offensive line. Regardless, he has time, even if the talking heads are screaming like he’s run out.