{"id":134939,"date":"2022-08-27T23:49:02","date_gmt":"2022-08-28T03:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=134939"},"modified":"2022-11-21T12:36:56","modified_gmt":"2022-11-21T17:36:56","slug":"chicago-bears-justin-fields-jeff-king-waiver-wire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2022\/08\/27\/chicago-bears-justin-fields-jeff-king-waiver-wire\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears Planning on Using Waiver Wire to Fill Out Roster, Team Exec Says"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears finished the preseason undefeated for the first time since 1994 but that is not the biggest takeaway of their day. Their 21-20 victory was a lot closer in the end than it was at halftime when Justin Fields<\/a> and the starters did the heavy lifting with all three touchdowns coming on throws to three different \u2013 wide open \u2013 targets.<\/p>\n

It was easily the best performance from the first unit that hadn\u2019t seen the second-year passer throw for a score in the previous two games despite some promising signs last week against the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\n

Even with all of the encouraging signs like Fields\u2019 mastery of the scheme on the night, or the potential emergence of Dante Pettis<\/a> in the passing game and on special teams, it was what co-director of player personnel Jeff King<\/a> said that will have the longest-lasting impact on the season.<\/p>\n

Bears Exec Gets Honest on Roster Plans<\/h2>\n

This is a Good Thing<\/h3>\n

Obviously, the Bears coming away with a perfect exhibition run is a nice feather in the cap of a first-year regime. And, if nothing else, the Bears have proven that their depth at most positions is much better than it was. It was those units that secured the victories in the previous two outings.<\/p>\n

But injuries to the wide receiving corps, offensive line, and secondary have them keeping tabs on happenings around the league.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChiSportUpdates\/status\/1563660992566812673<\/p>\n

King\u2019s admission is not shocking. Earlier in the week former Super Bowl-winning head coach and Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz<\/a> decried the lack of talent the front office has put around Fields. He cast doubts about Fields\u2019 development as well. This preseason performance likely won\u2019t sway Martz\u2019s opinion on the latter point.<\/p>\n

But it appears the Bears agree with his point about the talent on the roster. And with a slew of notable names expected to hit the market, they could find something be it a wide receiver, offensive lineman, or defensive back.<\/p>\n

Potential Downsides<\/h3>\n

The negative spin is that this roster could probably have used more of an infusion of talent<\/a>, at least offensively, from the beginning. Especially because all of the positions one would assume they will be targeting \u2013 offensive line, secondary, wide receiver \u2013 were question marks already. Now, injuries have turned those spots into potential detriments.<\/p>\n

During Saturday\u2019s broadcast, former Bears quarterback Jim Miller noted how the team did not go to a four wide receiver set in an obvious situation opting instead to use tight end James O\u2019Shaughnessy. Miller\u2019s point was the Bears simply did not have the personnel to spread out the defense with 10 personnel.<\/p>\n

[pickup_prop id=”26848″]<\/p>\n

The problem now is incorporating a new player \u2013 receiver or otherwise \u2013 at this point in the process.<\/p>\n

They would also be taking a player another team deemed expendable unless they trade for them and, right now, their options for that are Roquan Smith<\/a> and draft capital. Smith seems more likely than draft capital to be traded after the Bears sent a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for wide receiver N\u2019Keal Harry<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Harry underwent ankle surgery for an injury suffered during training camp and has been out ever since. How aggressive should the Bears be to trade yet another pick just to potentially have the same outcome?<\/p>\n

Bears Exec Shares Plan<\/h3>\n

It is refreshing to hear such honesty from the Bears\u2019 front office. And we will see just what kind of players actually come free and which they target. That could tell us a lot more about what they think of this current group that has shown some flashes but is still a ways away from contending for anything.<\/p>\n

Chicago Bears Rookie OT Braxton Jones\u2019 \u2018Ceiling is Sky High\u2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n