After losing Alshon Jeffery to the Eagles earlier today, the Bears have added a new wideout. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (via Twitter) that Chicago has signed receiver Markus Wheaton.
Wheaton, 26, had spent his entire four-year career with the Steelers. The wideout cotinually progressed after getting selected in the third-round of the 2013 draft, as he finished the 2015 campaign with 44 receptions and career-highs in yards (749) and touchdowns (five). The receiver played in three games (two starts) this past season, collecting four receptions for 51 yards and one touchdown. A shoulder injury ultimately led to him being placed on the injured reserve in late November.
After losing Jeffery today, the Bears are looking at a crop of unproven receivers. Besides Eddie Royal, all of the wideouts are 27 or younger. Cameron Meredith and former first-rounder Kevin White figure to be the starters next season. Wheaton will likely compete with Josh Bellamy, Daniel Braverman, and Bralon Addison for snaps.
We ranked Wheaton as the 10th-best wideout available via free agency.
A sarcastic Yippee !
I like Pace’s strategy this off season. Sign a bunch of guys nobody’s heard of. Surprise attack. Nice!
Why does it feel as if the Bears have taken steps backwards this offseason? I know big spending in free agency isn’t the best plan but it seemed like the best players steered clear of Chicago.
I don’t see them as taking a step back. I don’t see Glennon as a step back from Cutler. It frees them up in the draft to build their D maybe take a qb in a later round. If they do sign Dion Sims that’s a solid TE signing. Wheaton is decent but he’s been stuck behind good receivers in Pitt. He’s not as good as Alshon but Alshon wasn’t coming back unless he was held hostage. He wasn’t happy here and the coaching staff didn’t like him. Plus he hasn’t had a huge season the past two years. I’m not a fan of the Demps signing. He’s ok but he’s 32 and we are rebuilding. I’m not thrilled but I’m not upset
Pittsburgh had a gaping hole at WR2 last year and no of their options on the roster could take advantage of it. That’s a bit concerning given that Wheaton will go from an upper echelon offense to a likely bottom tier one.
Cam Meredith is a poor man’s #3. Makes Wheaton a good bet four a #4 or 5 WR. Nice snag Pace. Don’t expect me to go after Terrelle Pryor Chicago. 79 targets with 44 receptions with an elite QB throwing the ball to him. OUCH! Made sure they didn’t let GB snag him. Haha
Did u not read that he was injured most of the year
Yeah, I think the same thing..
Awesome the Bears are collecting number 3 WRs, that’s sure to make that overpay of Glennon look great.
I try to be the most optimistic fan but I cant lie, Im worried.
A 3-13 team obviously has a ton of spots that it can improve but that doesn’t appear to have happened at a single spot yet.
I like that we now have a QB that seems to understand ball security but Im not sure he’s actually better than Cutler. Not right now anyways.
I liked Wheaton coming out of college but no way he’s an upgrade over Alshon especially with his own injury history.
Dion Simms is solid and I like the pick up but he’s still around on Day 2. He’s not a day 1 guy.
Quentin Demps is 32. He’s most likely going to Antrel Rolle us.
Im trying to be optimistic and tell myself that great teams are built in the draft but its going to take a damn near perfect one this year to get them to the playoffs
Rebuilding is never fun, but they’re doing the right thing. Overpaying free agents will do nothing until they solve the QB issue. Yes, they overpaid Glennon, but he’s a bridge guy and the years on the deal mean nothing when the Bears are in good shape with the cap. Alshon was never intending on coming back, and he proved it by signing a one year deal. I’m not sold on Fox, but Fangio is a great coordinator, and Pace is very good when it comes to drafting talent. Pace is just getting out of the woods when it comes to cleaning up the Emery/Trestman mess. If he has another solid draft class this year then the Bears could be where Oakland is now this time next year.
I’m happy we didn’t resign Alston. So inconsistent. We should draft a wr in rounds 2 or 3 though because Kevin white and cam Merideth together don’t scream deadly. I would target Dede Westbrook I think pace and fox has done a decent job running the team. Especially when comparing it to Phil emery and Marc trestman