The Chicago Bears are getting a very motivated N’Keal Harry who says he has a “huge chip” on his shoulder. Their wide receiver room has undergone a massive overhaul with only Darnell Mooney and second-year man Dazz Newsome returning from last season. Mooney recorded his first 1000-yard campaign and will look to solidify himself in his third season as a true number-one option for Justin Fields.
Newsome was a sixth-round pick last season out of North Carolina. He wound up seeing action in just three games, catching two passes for 23 yards.
Chicago Bears WR N’Keal Harry has ‘Huge Chip’ on His Shoulder
Only Looking Forward
Harry comes in with all of the talent and disappointment of a failed first-rounder. But he does not sound like a bitter player after his mostly forgettable time with the New England Patriots. Instead, Harry sounds like a player grateful for a second chance. One that is relishing the opportunity to prove what he can do.
Just what is that, exactly?
The 24-year-old Harry noted his big body and blocking ability as strengths. He also says that his best skill is his ability to go up and get the ball.
Harry is 6-foot-4 on a roster with only one other option listed taller than 6-foot-2. There is certainly room to make his mark. With just 57 total grabs for 598 yards with four receiving touchdowns in his three-year career, he certainly has room to improve. Harry said that he wasn’t focused on his time in New England and is “excited” for a “fresh start” with the Bears.
Asked what he wants to prove, Harry did not mince words still sounding like the first-round pick.
“Just dominance. I just want to show how dominant I can be just as a player in the NFL.”
🎱 @NkealHarry15 🎱 pic.twitter.com/jULdIEppeq
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 27, 2022
Harry said that his confidence has not waned. He mentioned the offseason work he put in spending most of his time in Arizona working on explosiveness. That should be music to the Bears’ ears since Harry comes with a reputation for being a big-bodied but slow-footed wideout. There is still a need for a jump-ball artist.
But when a player is taken in the first round, even with the 32nd pick as Harry was, you hope to get more than that out of them.
The former Arizona Sun Devil has virtually nothing in front of him but space and opportunity with the Bears and Justin Fields. As far as the Bears, their most recent bargain additions could prove to be the most fruitful.
Finding Help for Fields
Bears general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have given themselves a headstart over their predecessors by naming Fields their Day 1 starter. It might seem like a no-brainer decision. But Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy seemingly did everything in their power to make things difficult for Fields. That included not giving him reps with the starters in training camp.
So far, Pace has taken heat for not doing more to make things easier on the former 11th-overall pick.
However, looking at where this roster is compared to where it was when Poles took over things make a little more sense. Did (does) Fields need better protection and weapons surrounding him?
Of course!
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But the Bears ranked 22nd in scoring defense last season. They gave up the 26th-most passing touchdowns and only intercepted the ball 11 times, good for 29th in the NFL.
They had serious holes in their secondary and front seven that, they hope, have been addressed this offseason. As for doing more for Fields, if Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield are able to solidify left tackle and right guard, respectively, the Bears’ offense could surprise with their tempo as long as they execute.
