Bears must act quickly with Pro Bowl addition after latest development

The Chicago Bears are in some pretty serious trouble heading into the 2026 NFL campaign. Why? Because they have largely neglected the wide receiver position all offseason, and now, it’s coming back to haunt them.

Rome Odunze just revealed that he doesn’t think he will ever be the same after the foot injury he suffered last season, which makes the Bears’ decision to subtract both D.J. Moore and Olamide Zacchaeus this spring all the more peculiar.

The Bears traded Moore to the Buffalo Bills and allowed Zacchaeus to walk via free agency, replacing them with Kalif Raymond and third-round draft pick Zavion Thomas. Neither Raymond nor Thomas inspires a ton of confidence, so Chicago may need another answer at receiver.

Yes, Luther Burden III was terrific during his rookie campaign in 2025, but he also dealt with some injury issues last year, and if Odunze is compromised in any way, the Bears will have major problems.

That’s why Chicago needs to act now and sign one of the remaining wide outs on the free-agent market, and Deebo Samuel would comprise a terrific option.

Chicago Bears should sign Deebo Samuel now

There are three intriguing receivers remaining in free agency: Samuel, Stefon Diggs and Keenan Allen. Diggs will probably be too expensive and likely wants a larger role than what the Bears are willing to offer, and Allen — who played for Chicago in 2024 — seems like he is destined to return to the Los Angeles Chargers.

That leaves Samuel, who spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders and was very productive, catching 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns.

Of course, Samuel is more known for his six-year tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, where he made a Pro Bowl, earned a First-Team All-Pro selection and helped the 49ers make a couple of Super Bowl appearances.

Versatility is the name of Samuel’s game, as he is capable of lining up all over the field — including the backfield — and being effective regardless of where he is deployed.

The Bears could certainly use a player like Samuel, and that’s even if Odunze and Burden are perfectly healthy. Ben Johnson’s squad has very limited depth in its receiving corps once you get past the top two, so Samuel could absolutely fill in as a reliable, do-it-all option for Caleb Williams.

I’m not sure why Chicago has been so lackadaisical when it comes to the wide receiver position this offseason, but it can rectify its mistake by adding Samuel immediately.

The post Bears must act quickly with Pro Bowl addition after latest development appeared first on ChiCitySports.