Free Agency
5 Wide Receivers the Bears should target in 2024 NFL free agency
Chicago Bears 2024 Free Agency Preview: A look at five wide receivers the Bears should try to sign.
Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore had one of the best seasons in recent team history in 2023, racking up almost 1,400 yards and nine total touchdowns, both career highs.
Moore proved he belongs in any conversation about the best receivers in the NFL.
Unfortunately for the Bears, their wide receiver situation entering the offseason is murky. After Moore, the only wide receivers currently under contract are Tyler Scott and Velus Jones Jr. These are fine depth options, but the Bears will need to add some talent to this position group when free agency begins next month.
Let’s look at some of the top names likely to be available.
Note: I will not include Bengals’ star Tee Higgins on this list since, according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., “the writing is on the wall” that the Bengals will franchise tag Higgins.
1. Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Evans is coming off his 10th consecutive season of at least 1,000 receiving yards, a truly remarkable streak, and will command a hefty contract if he hits free agency. Recently, the Chicago Bears added over $20 million in cap space by cutting veterans
![](https://bearstalk.com/2024/02/15/eddie-jackson-chicago-bears-released-2024-nfl-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Eddie Jackson</strong></a> and <a href="https://bearstalk.com/2024/02/15/cody-whitehair-chicago-bears-released-2024-nfl-free-agency" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Cody Whitehair</strong></a>, giving them the third most cap space in the league.</p>
<p>I don’t know if Ryan Poles will pursue Evans. He’s 31 and will command a top-of-the-market payday. It would be against the grain given what we know about Poles” preferences so far, but it’s not every day a future Hall of Fame wide receiver comes available. And with the generous salary cap cushion the Chicago Bears have, Poles could almost certainly find a way to sign Evans if he wants to. </p>
<p>Pairing Evans with Moore would give the Bears arguably the best wide receiver duo in the conference.</p>
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<h3><strong>2. Tyler Boyd, Bengals</strong></h3>
<p>He may be just the third receiving option in Cincinnati, but don’t overlook Boyd. He’s long been a reliable contributor for the Bengals and even put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019 before Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins arrived to steal the show.</p>
<p>He’s also a little older at 29, but signing Boyd would be significantly cheaper than signing Evans, and you would still be getting a top-end WR2.</p>
<h3><strong>3. Calvin Ridley, Jaguars</strong></h3>
<p>After putting up a 1,000-yard season after not playing in the NFL for two years, the Jaguars will certainly try their best to keep Ridley around long-term. But he’s valued at $17 million AAV, <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/calvin-ridley-25121/market-value/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>a</strong><strong>ccording to Spotrac</strong></a>, and the cash-strapped Jags may find that difficult to pay, especially with quarterback Trevor Lawrence now eligible for an extension.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are flush with cash and could be resetting their quarterback contract clock. If Ridley hits free agency, he may not find a better offer than what Chicago brings to the table. He would play second-fiddle to incumbent DJ Moore, but you could expect both receivers to have a banner year.</p>
<h3><strong>4. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts</strong></h3>
<p>Not far away in Indianapolis, Pittman Jr. has quietly been a legit WR1 since he was drafted by the Colts in 2020. He’s put up over 900 yards in three straight years despite erratic quarterback play and poor coaching for much of that time.</p>
<p>Pittman would be a fantastic complementary piece to DJ Moore. He’s younger at just 26 years old, and has a good track record of staying healthy. Pittman feels like a Poles type of guy and will probably be targeted early on, especially given his connection to Matt Eberflus.</p>
<h3><strong>5. Gabe Davis, Bills</strong></h3>
<p>A relatively unknown receiver, Davis first came to fame when, in the 2021 AFC Division Round playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he caught <em>four </em>touchdown passes and totaled 201 receiving yards.</p>
<p>While never becoming a breakout star, Davis has been a reliable weapon for Josh Allen, with back-to-back seasons of over 700 yards and 45 catches. He’s young at just 24 years old and will likely play on an affordable contract, making Davis one of the more attractive free-agent receiver options for Poles.</p>
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<p><em>Which wide receivers do you think the Chicago Bears should pursue in free agency? Sign up for a free user account and share your opinion in the comments. If you’d like an ad-free Bears Talk and access to our exclusive content, consider leveling up to a premium account for just $3.49/mo or $29.99/yr. We’d love to have you! Bear Down!</em></p>
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